K-TET mandatory for all teachers, Supreme Court rejects review petitions

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has dismissed the review petitions filed by the Kerala government and several organisations against its earlier verdict directing the removal of teachers who failed to qualify the Kerala Teacher Eligibility Test (K-TET). The petitions were rejected after a hearing in open court. At the same time, the court extended the time limit for teachers to pass the K-TET from two years to three years. Around 45 review petitions were dismissed by a bench comprising Justices Dipankar Datta and Manmohan.

The petitioners had requested that teachers who joined service before March 31, 2012, should be exempted from the K-TET requirement and allowed to continue in service until retirement. However, the earlier court order had stated that K-TET is a mandatory examination focused on teaching aptitude and child pedagogy, and that all school teachers must pass it to continue in the profession.

With the Supreme Court now dismissing the review petitions, even teachers with higher qualifications such as NET, MPhil, PhD and MEd will have to pass K-TET to remain in service. Reports suggest the verdict could affect their jobs and promotions.