How could a teacher in the state of Bihar teach when he knows not how to write an application ?

The Bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan was hearing a plea challenging the teachers’ competency test held by the State of Bihar when they came across this astonishing and sad reality.

While hearing the plea, the Court observed that when a State tries to bring in regulations to maintain some standards, the aspirants try to evade such efforts.

“He is a post graduate and he gets a job and then he cannot even write a leave letter. This is the level of education in the country? And when the State brings in some regulation (competency test) you oppose that? Teachers build the nation and if you cannot face these tests, then resign and leave. In a State like Bihar, if an attempt is being made to improve them, you are not allowing it?” Justice Nagarathna observed.

The case involved a challenge to a judgment dated April 2 by which the Patna High Court upheld the competency test while striking down certain provisions of the Exclusive Teachers Rules, 2023.

This case involved around 4 lakh Niyojit teachers (Panchayat teachers). The High Court had ruled that unless the Niyojit teachers cleared the competency test, they would not be eligible to continue in service.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to entertain the appeal against this High Court’s decision.