Odisha investigates policy breaches in OTET bypass for teacher regularisation
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has launched an investigation into allegations that several junior teachers were regularised in government jobs after six years of service without passing the Odisha Teacher Eligibility Test (OTET).
According to sources, under the 2012 policy, no junior teacher can be regularised without clearing the OTET. However, records show that in districts such as Jajpur and Khurda, the rule was allegedly violated during the previous BJD government’s tenure. In some cases, teachers cleared OTET later, but the exam was mandatory before regularisation, a provision that was not uniformly followed across the state.
The probe was initiated after complaints from the Primary Teachers’ Association. The School and Mass Education Department has directed district education officers concerned to submit reports within seven days.
“Under the National Council for Teacher Education guidelines, OTET is mandatory for regularisation of junior teachers,” School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond said. “The department is investigating these policy violations, and action will be taken against those found guilty.”
PNN
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