Bihar: Patna HC Quashes Appointment of Over 22,000 B.Ed Teachers in Classes 1 to 5

The Patna High Court has rendered the appointments of Bihar B.Ed degree holders as primary school teachers null and void. The court ruled that individuals possessing a B.Ed degree are ineligible for teaching positions in classes 1st to 5th in Bihar. Instead, candidates with a Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed) are deemed eligible for primary school teaching roles.

Court Ruling Impact:

• Invalidation of NCTE Notification:
  The court invalidated the National Council for Teachers Education's (NCTE) 2018 notification that made a B.Ed degree compulsory for primary school teaching jobs.

• Eligibility Criteria:
  The division bench, led by Chief Justice K. Vinod Chandran, explicitly stated that only D.EI.Ed. holders can be appointed as primary school teachers, challenging the necessity of a B.Ed degree for these roles.

• Impact on Appointments:
  This ruling affects over 22 thousand teachers appointed during the 6th phase of the recruitment process for classes 1 to 5.

Rationale Behind the Decision:

• Pedagogical Approach:
  The court emphasized that the appointment of teachers should align with the specific skill sets necessary for teaching primary and higher classes. It underscored the need for a distinct pedagogical approach during the initial years of a student's education.

The verdict highlights a shift in the eligibility criteria for primary school teacher appointments in Bihar, emphasizing the importance of specialized qualifications for teaching at different academic levels.