Telangana B.Ed graduates demand Mega DSC, challenge GO 108 in teacher recruitment
Hyderabad: A coalition of Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) degree holders in Teelangana, represented by the Telangana B.Ed Abhyarthula Sangam, is urging the government to take immediate action to address what they describe as systemic injustice in teacher recruitment. The group alleges a sharp fall in direct recruitment opportunities over the past two decades further demands Mega DSC.
Historical grievances and Legal setbacks
The core dispute centres on Government Order (GO) 108, issued in 1999. Bhukya Kumar, state president of Telangana B.Ed Abhyarthula Sangam, told HyderabadMail, "Each year, the Telangana government holds exams via TG-EDCET, allocating about 25,000 seats. About 25,000 B.Ed students graduate annually. Over the last 12 years, 3,00,000 students have passed and are waiting for teaching jobs. The DSC notification lists only 2,629 School Assistant (SA) vacancies due to GO 108."
According to Kumar, “This order amended GO Ms No 505 (November 16, 1998), revising the recruitment ratio for School Assistant (SA) posts. Previously, half of the SA posts were filled by direct recruitment of B.Ed candidates, and the other half by promotion of Secondary Grade Teachers (SGT). GO Ms No 108 raised the SGT promotion share to 70 percent, reducing direct recruitment.”
“B.Ed candidates initially did not object, as they were eligible to apply for SGT posts. A 2011 Supreme Court judgment removed our eligibility. In 2018, the National Council for Teacher Education briefly restored eligibility via a gazette notification, but the Supreme Court reversed this in the 2023 Devas Sharma vs. Union of India case, ruling that only Diploma in Education (D.Ed) holders are eligible for SGT posts,” explained Kumar.
Teacher job aspirants say that GO Ms No 108 disadvantages them. With the SGT route closed since 2012 and only 30 percent (600 out of 2,000) of SA posts open for direct recruitment, unemployment among B.Ed graduates has risen.
Telangana B.Ed Abhyarthula Sangam Demands for a mega DSC
The candidates have made nine demands, including a Mega DSC for 25,000 posts and consolidating recruitment for DSC, Model School, and Gurukul teachers into one notification.
Telangana B.Ed Abhyarthula Sangam primary demand is a new Government Order mandating that 75% to 80% of School Assistant posts be filled through direct recruitment of B.Ed candidates, and that the promotion quota for SGTs be reduced to 20-25%. They cite Kerala's 75% direct recruitment quota and Kendriya Vidyalayas' 66.66% policy as precedents.
Other demands include changes to the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET). They want the fee reduced from Rs. 1000 to Rs. 200. The applicants urge for the examination to take place using OMR sheets instead of digital tests. The group petitions for exams at the district level for local candidates. In addition to that, they request subject-specific concessions in the TET exam pattern.
Candidates oppose a proposed 10-mark weightage for current SSA teachers in the DSC. They argue it could disadvantage the new B.Ed applicants. They further recommend dividing the education board into primary and secondary sectors, in line with the National Education Policy 2020.
After their petitions received no response, the candidates approached the Telangana High Court. A two-judge bench called the issue a procedural policy matter and instructed them to resubmit grievances to the government. The candidates say they have done so, but have not yet received a response. They have now requested the Chief Minister to review their case.
