In Brief
The Supreme Court upheld the High Court's judgment quashing the State of Uttar Pradesh's attempt to regularize 1.78 lakh Shiksha Mitras (para-teachers) as Assistant Teachers. The Court held that under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, Section 23, all teachers must possess minimum statutory qualifications laid down by the NCTE, which cannot be relaxed by State action. Shiksha Mitras were appointed on contractual basis without statutory qualifications, did not follow recruitment rules, and cannot be regularized as teachers. The Court emphasized that the fundamental right to education means quality education by duly qualified teachers. While Shiksha Mitras may continue as contractors, they must acquire statutory qualifications to be appointed as regular teachers and may be given age relaxation and weightage for experience in future recruitments.
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