Will Shiksha Mitras Get Weightage in UP’s 11,508 Teacher Recruitment? Move to Consider Age Relaxation

Reconsideration of the matter has begun after the Basic Education Council forwarded details of a past Supreme Court order to the Uttar Pradesh Education Service Selection Commission.

The situation regarding Shiksha Mitras (para-teachers) appears to be shifting in the ongoing recruitment drive for 11,508 Assistant Teacher posts in Uttar Pradesh. The initial recruitment advertisement did not mention granting weightage to Shiksha Mitras based on their experience. However, the issue is now being reconsidered after the Basic Education Council shared details of a previous Supreme Court order with the Uttar Pradesh Education Service Selection Commission. The Commission has also constituted a four-member committee to decide on the matter. This issue is significant because a large number of Shiksha Mitras in the state are involved in this recruitment process. Under the current advertisement, Shiksha Mitras are eligible to apply up to the age of 60, but there is no clear provision regarding weightage based on their experience.

Details of the Supreme Court Order Provided

Surendra Kumar Tiwari, Secretary of the Basic Education Council, sent a letter to Manoj Kumar, Secretary of the Education Service Selection Commission, apprising him of the Supreme Court’s order dated November 18, 2020. In the Ram Sharan Maurya case, the apex court had stated that Shiksha Mitras should be given another opportunity in the teacher selection process. However, the state government was authorized to determine the specific manner and mechanism for granting this opportunity. Now, following the receipt of information regarding the order from the Council, the Commission’s four-member committee is examining the entire matter. A decision may be taken based on the committee’s report.

Experience Weightage Granted Previously

Shiksha Mitras had previously been granted weightage based on their experience during the recruitment drives for 68,500 and 69,000 Assistant Teachers. Reports indicate that at that time, there was a provision for weightage of 2.5 marks per year of experience, subject to a maximum cap of 25 marks. Given this established practice, it is expected that Shiksha Mitras (para-teachers) will be granted weightage based on their experience in this recruitment drive as well. However, the specific number of marks or the formula to be used for this weightage has not yet been finalized.

No Mention of Weightage in the Recruitment Advertisement

Following the release of the advertisement for 11,508 posts, questions arose among Shiksha Mitras regarding why weightage had not been mentioned, despite the Supreme Court’s directive. Reports indicate that the Basic Education Department informed the commission about the earlier order only after the recruitment advertisement had already been issued. While the initial advertisement included a provision allowing Shiksha Mitras to apply up to the age of 60, it did not specify any separate weightage for experience.

Demand for a Special TET

Shiksha Mitras have also long been demanding an opportunity to appear for a special TET (Teacher Eligibility Test). They argue that the benefit of experience will be crucial for them in the teacher recruitment process once they pass the eligibility test. With the initiation of the process regarding weightage, their hopes concerning this demand have also risen.