Why hire retired teachers, when qualified youths available: Orissa HC asks Govt

Orissa High Court issued a notice to Odisha government over the controversial appointment of guest teachers in various government-run schools. The court has sought clarity on why retired teachers are being appointed when several qualified but unemployed candidates are available.

Also Read: Odisha to appoint 6,387 retired teachers as guest teachers in high schools, Sanskrit Tolls

The case pertains to filling of 6,387 vacant teaching posts across the School & Mass Education (S&ME) and Higher Education departments. During the hearing, the High Court demanded detailed data on these vacancies and the criteria being used for appointments.

Petitioners argued that despite fulfilling the eligibility requirements, a number of qualified candidates remain jobless while the State government continues to hire retired educators on a temporary basis.

The High Court has asked the government to justify its approach and explain why fresh appointments are being bypassed.

The next hearing on the matter has been scheduled for September 13.

Worth mentioning, in a major move to address the teacher shortage in secondary schools, the Odisha government had approved on August 2 the appointment of 6,387 retired teachers as guest teachers across government, fully aided, block grant high schools, and Sanskrit Tolls for the academic year 2025–26.

The S&ME department had conveyed this move as an official sanction to the Director of Secondary Education for the continuation of the Guest Teacher Scheme. The appointments will remain valid till March 2026 or until new teachers join.

An official notification stated that District Education Officers (DEOs) have been directed to ensure that guest teachers are engaged strictly within the vacancy figures approved by the Directorate.

Further, engagements will be prioritised based on the extent of vacancy and will proceed following approval from the respective District Collectors alone.