Major relief for teachers; Kerala withdraws controversial KTET order

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The General Education Department has withdrawn its controversial circular imposing restrictions on the appointment and promotion of teachers who do not possess the Kerala Teacher Eligibility Test (KTET) qualification. The circular had triggered strong protests from Left-affiliated teachers' organisations soon after it was issued. It was subsequently withdrawn following the protests.

The circular, issued the previous day, contained stringent provisions, including restrictions on promotions and fresh appointment approvals for teachers without KTET qualifications. The government had stated that the order was issued in compliance with court directions. It directed aided schools to terminate the services of teachers appointed without KTET qualifications on or after September 1, 2025. Teachers who had been promoted without the required qualification were also to be reverted to their parent posts without delay.

The circular further stated that teachers without KTET qualifications should not be granted fresh appointment approvals or promotions from October 2025 onwards. Officials said a fresh decision on the matter would be announced soon.