Provisional list for assistant BEO promotions under cloud after SC verdict | Bhubaneswar News

Bhubaneswar: A provisional list prepared by the govt for the promotion of assistant block education officers to block education officers (BEOs) has run into uncertainty after the Supreme Court judgment making the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) mandatory for any promotion.The Directorate of Elementary Education, under the school and mass education department, on Sept 24, created a provisional gradation list for the promotion of officers for 2025. A total of 522 officers featured in the list.The Odisha Elementary BEd Teachers’ Federation expressed concern over the govt’s move to promote officers who have not appeared for the TET.“Despite the Supreme Court’s Sept 1 judgment, which reaffirmed that TET is a mandatory provision for promotions, the department seems to be proceeding with the promotions of teachers without adhering to the requirement,” said federation’s president Ajay Kumar Dhal.Federation’s general secretary Debendra Kumar Nayak said the Right to Education (RTE) Act emphasises the importance of qualified teachers, and the SC judgment underscores the statutory provision. “Promoting individuals to key positions like assistant BEO or BEO without ensuring they meet the TET eligibility criteria undermines the quality of education and violates the RTE Act’s provisions,” he added.“I urge the state govt to respect the Supreme Court’s judgment and the RTE Act’s statutory requirements. Ensuring that all promotions, especially to critical roles like officers, are made in accordance with these provisions is essential for maintaining educational standards,” said Duryeodhan Das, working president of the federation.Director of elementary education Balmukunda Bhuyan said they have requested the govt for clarification on the issue. “The gradation list is purely provisional, not a final list. After getting clarification, we can take the next step. We have also sent the list for field verification,” he added.