Kerala Government Conditionally Approves Regularization of 20,000 Aided School Teachers
In a significant development for the education sector, the Kerala state government has decided to grant conditional approval for the regularization of postings for approximately 20,000 teachers employed in aided schools across the state. This decision, announced by General Education Minister V Sivankutty on Wednesday, aims to resolve a long-standing issue that has left these appointments in limbo since 2021.
Background and Supreme Court Verdict
The regularization process had been stalled following a Supreme Court verdict related to the failure of school managements to fill posts reserved for persons with disabilities as mandated under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016. Initially, the government maintained that aided school managements, including Christian managements, needed to obtain separate approval from the Supreme Court to regularize appointments, even if they complied with disability reservation norms.
New Legal Advice and Conditional Approval
Minister Sivankutty explained that the decision is based on recent legal advice suggesting that the benefit of a Supreme Court order granted to the NSS (Nair Service Society) for appointments in general category seats could be extended to other aided school managements. Previously, legal opinions did not support this extension, but the latest advice indicates the government may proceed with regularization, subject to the apex court's final verdict.
However, the regularization will exclude 442 teachers whose petitions are currently pending before the Supreme Court, to avoid potential contempt of court. The minister assured that the regularization process would be completed within a fortnight, with teachers receiving service benefits retrospectively.
Two-Year K-TET Exam Extension for Teachers
In a related move, the state government has also decided to grant a two-year extension for school teachers who have not yet passed the Kerala Teacher Eligibility Test (K-TET), which is mandatory under the Right to Education Act. This relaxation applies to teachers who have obtained NET, SET, MPhil, or PhD qualifications and were appointed before September 1, 2025.
This extension aims to provide additional time for eligible educators to meet certification requirements without jeopardizing their positions.
Implications and Next Steps
The conditional approval marks a proactive step by the Kerala government to address teacher welfare and administrative hurdles in the education system. By aligning with legal frameworks and ensuring compliance with disability reservations, the move seeks to stabilize the teaching workforce in aided schools while awaiting final judicial clarity from the Supreme Court.
