Special Education D.Ed and B.Ed holders eligible for teaching posts: Telangana & AP HC

A Division Bench of the Telangana and Andhra Pradesh High Court has ruled that the Telangana government is legally obligated to consider applicants who hold Diploma (D.Ed) or Bachelor’s degrees (B.Ed) in Special Education for appointments to the posts of school assistants and secondary grade teachers..The state had issued a Government Order (GO) on October 10, 2017, prescribing higher qualifications for appointments to the above mentioned posts..The Bench of Acting Chief Justice Ramesh Ranganathan and Justice Abhinand Kumar Shavili agreed with the petitioners’ counsel Sridhar Jakkula, that D.Ed (special) and B.Ed (special) holders were eligible for such posts under Section 23(1) of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009..The Bench also placed reliance on a notification issued by the Department of School Education of the Union Ministry of Human Resources Development on October 23, 2010, which deemed D.Ed (special) and B.Ed (special) holders eligible for the posts of school assistants and secondary grade teachers..“The said notification was issued on 23.10.2010, and was published in the Gazette of India dated 25.08.2010. The minimum qualification prescribed for appointment as a teacher from Classes I to V is, among others, a two year diploma in education (special education). Likewise for appointment as a teacher for Classes VI to VIII the qualification prescribed is, among others, B.A/BSc with atleast 50% marks, and one year B.Ed (special education).”.The order dated November 14 also clarifies that schools owned or controlled either directly or indirectly by the state of Telangana would be governed by Section 21 of the Right to Education Act, insofar as setting eligibility criteria was concerned..“Section 2(n)(1) defines a school to mean any recognized school imparting elementary education and a school established, owned or controlled by the appropriate Government or a local authority. Section 2(f) defines elementary education to mean education from first class to eighth class and Section 2(a) defines “appropriate Government” in relation to a school established within the territory of a State, to be the State Government.”.The Court also noted that as per the circular issued by the Centre, those who qualify as teachers will have to go through a six month training program in elementary education after being appointed..Read the order: