Kerala to Appeal Supreme Court Verdict on Teachers’ Eligibility Test

Fast Summary

• Kerala’s Minister for General Education V.sivankutty announced plans to file a review petition or approach the Supreme court seeking clarity on its ruling that mandates teachers’ Eligibility test (TET) qualification for all school teachers.
• The Supreme Court ruling could impact up to 50,000 teachers in Kerala and possibly disrupt school education activities in the state.
• Key provisions of the ruling:

– Teachers appointed before the RTE Act (2009) with more than five years until retirement must clear TET within two years or face retirement with terminal benefits.
– Teachers left with less than five years of service as of September 1, 2025 are exempt from qualifying TET but will not be eligible for promotions.

• The judgment examined laws under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, its amendments, and National Council for Teacher Education’s notifications on minimum qualifications for teaching roles.
• Kerala has historically protected serving teachers when qualifications were revised, unlike at a national level under UPA (2009 RTE Act) or NDA governments (2017 amendments).
• Teachers’ organisations have urged both State and Union governments to address their concerns.

Image: 80/674419820251696418082025SUPREMECOURT01.JPG”>Supreme Court

Indian Opinion Analysis

The Supreme Court’s decision asserts stricter compliance with TET requirements nationwide,aiming to ensure uniform teacher eligibility standards under the Right to Education framework. While such regulatory measures seek improved educational quality,their immediate implementation could pose significant challenges-especially in states like Kerala where around 50,000 experienced teachers may face compulsory retirement or disqualification.Kerala’s historical stance prioritizing protection of serving educators during policy changes stands in sharp contrast here. The state’s planned legal intervention underscores broader tensions between federal education policies and state-level administration amid concurrent constitutional governance.Balancing teacher rights while ensuring progress toward universal eligibility standards is critical. Uniform enforcement might help establish baseline teaching quality but risks unintended consequences such as workforce destabilization if implemented without adequate transitional safeguards.Read more: [The Hindu Article Link]