B.Ed Degree Holders Ineligible For Teaching In Primary Schools: Patna High Court

A division bench comprising Chief Justice K Vinod Chandran and Justice Rajiv Roy said that candidates with Diploma in Elementary Education are eligible for primary school teaching jobs.

The Patna High Court has ruled that B.Ed degree holders cannot be considered eligible for appointment as primary school teachers in the state. A division bench comprising Chief Justice K Vinod Chandran and Justice Rajiv Roy said that candidates with a Diploma in Elementary Education are eligible for primary school teaching jobs. The division bench comprising Chief Justice K. Vinod Chandran and Justice Rajiv Roy observed, “The writ petitions are allowed with the finding that the notification dated 28.06.2018, issued by 'the NCTE' is no longer applicable and the B.Ed candidates cannot be considered eligible for appointment as primary school teachers.”

“It goes without saying that the appointments made will have to be reworked and the eligible candidates as per the original notification of 'the NCTE' of the year 2010 can only be continued in the post to which they have been appointed. The State would also take a decision as to whether the vacant posts falling vacant on such reworking are to be filled up from the merit list available with the State, of the candidates eligible for appointment as primary school teachers,” the bench added.

The petitioners challenged the validity of the June 28, 2018, notification by the National Council of Teacher Education (NCTE), which allowed primary school teaching positions for individuals holding a B.Ed degree.

In a recent order, the Supreme Court highlighted that only diploma holders in elementary education are suitable for primary school teaching roles. The court noted that individuals with a B.Ed degree lack the necessary pedagogical skills to effectively engage with children. Consequently, the apex court invalidated the NCTE's 2018 notification that designated a B.Ed qualification for primary teachers.

"We are bound by the decision of the Supreme Court and so is the State, under Article 141 of the Constitution..." the high court bench said.

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