Lokmat News Network
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The Aurangabad Bench of the Bombay High Court has reiterated that the Maharashtra Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) is not mandatory for teachers in minority educational institutions. The court expressed strong displeasure over the conduct of education officers who, despite repeated clear orders, continued to reject teacher appointment proposals on the grounds of TET. Justices Vibha Kankanwadi and Ajit Kadethankар issued a stern warning that if such a mistake is repeated, strict action would be taken.
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What is the Case?
The education officers had refused to approve the appointment of teachers Syed Abu Zaid Syed Rafiq, Gaikwad Sayli Venkatesh, and Sainath Ganpat Bansode to the post of 'Shikshan Sevak,' citing that these teachers had not passed the TET . The teachers then approached the High Court challenging this decision.
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Court's Remarks on Edu Dept's Conduct:
Despite the court repeatedly issuing clear orders, education officers have been deliberately ignoring them and issuing incorrect orders. When summoned to court, the officers offer unconditional apologies, but then repeat the same mistakes. This time, the court has let them off with a warning, but indicated that direct action will follow if such errors occur in the future.
Since the Supreme Court has referred the matter to a larger bench in the 'Anjuman Isaate Taleem Trust' case, education officers cannot insist on TET until then. Furthermore, as per the government circular dated October 17, 2025, since the Right to Education (RTE) Act does not apply to minority schools, the TET condition does not apply either.
The petitioners were represented by Advocates Syed Tausif Yasin, Shaikh Tariq Mobin H and K P Rodge. After the hearing, the HC set aside the education officers' orders and directed the concerned institutions to resubmit their proposals within 15 days. The court further issued strict orders that upon receiving these proposals, approval must be granted within one month without insisting on TET qualification under any circumstances.