Plans underway to grant weightage to UP's 'Shiksha Mitras' in teacher recruitment! Age limit relaxation also likely..

*Shiksha Mitras* (para-teachers) in Uttar Pradesh could receive significant relief regarding the recruitment drive for over 11,000 primary teacher posts. In response to their long-standing demands for regularization and salary hikes, preparations are underway to offer them concessions during the recruitment process, although a final decision has not yet been reached. The government has apprised the Education Service Selection Commission of a 2020 High Court order directing that *Shiksha Mitras* be granted relief in recruitment. If the government proceeds with this decision, it would be nothing short of a gift for the more than 1.42 lakh *Shiksha Mitras* currently working in the state.

**Opportunity to Appear for Special TET**
*Shiksha Mitras* in UP have been consistently demanding the opportunity to appear for the Special TET (Teacher Eligibility Test), just like other teachers. If the government decides to grant relief, they will be permitted to take this eligibility test. This means they could pass the TET and subsequently secure a permanent teaching job by leveraging the weightage points awarded for their experience.

**How ​​Much Weightage Could Be Awarded?**
A notification issued by the Education Department in 2017 stated that *Shiksha Mitras* would be granted a weightage of 2.5 marks per year of experience during the recruitment process. For instance, a *Shiksha Mitra* with 10 years of teaching experience would receive a weightage of 25 marks. However, the maximum weightage limit was capped at 25 marks. The same formula could be applied this time as well.

It is worth noting that the previous government (SP) had regularized the jobs of *Shiksha Mitras* and appointed them as Assistant Teachers—a move that was subsequently struck down by the Supreme Court. Since then, *Shiksha Mitras* across UP have been protesting to demand job regularization. Now, just before the elections, they may receive substantial relief.

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