-Reshma Ravishanker

Holding a degree will be mandatory for all candidates applying for the post of primary teachers for classes 6 to 8 according to the new draft rules notified by the Karnataka government on Friday.

The state government officially notified the draft of Karnataka Education Department Services (Department of Public Instructions) (Recruitment) (Special) rules of 2022. Objections or suggestions against the same can be addressed to the principal secretary of the education department.

To begin with, the department proposes to induct 15,000 teachers under the new rules. Recruitment will be made through the Centralised Admission Cell, which is functioning under an advisory committee chaired by the commissioner of the department of public instruction.  

Previously, recruitment of teachers for classes six to eight were done basis the Teachers Eligibility Test, their second PU scores, and also class 10 marks. However, the revised guidelines have it that a candidate must have a specialised degree in one subject along with a degree in education to be eligible for the post.

Karnataka State High School Assistant Teachers Association president HK Manjunath, who welcomed the move said that this was long overdue.

“Discreet guidelines have been proposed even for language teachers. Previously accepted Ratna, Pandit, etc have been eliminated from the eligibility list. One must possess a formal degree from a university now,” he explained.  

Manjunath welcomed the draft rules saying, “If our children need to be knowledgeable, we must offer education adequately. Ensuring primary education is strengthened is the first step towards achieving quality education. It is better to avoid such stringent rules for aspirants of teachers post in the lower classes keeping in mind that it might deny basic employment opportunities for many candidates who have their hopes pinned on this profession. However, in a phased manner, we need to adopt better criteria even for classes 1-5.”

Meanwhile, R Vishal, commissioner, department of public instruction said, “We have an excess of 8,000 teachers who were appointed for primary classes teaching classes 6-8, such teachers will be given posts in the lower classes in a phased manner and transferred back to where they were originally recruited. If we want our children to be next-gen ready, then so should our teachers be. The rules are intended to ensure the quality and recruitment of professionals. 

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