Panaji: Directorate of education (DoE) has directed all schools to comply with Supreme Court’s guidelines on the teacher eligibility test (TET), stating that TET qualification is mandatory for the appointment and promotion of teachers.Heads of schools have been told that in-service teachers appointed without TET qualification and having more than five years of service remaining before retirement must acquire the qualification by Aug 31, 2028, as directed by Supreme Court.DoE said no school can recruit or appoint a teacher who does not possess the prescribed TET qualification, except where permitted by law or a subsequent Supreme Court order.“Teachers having less than five years of service remaining before retirement are exempted from acquiring the TET qualification for the purpose of continuation in service. However, TET qualification shall be mandatory for promotion, in accordance with the directions of the Supreme Court. The issue relating to the applicability of the TET requirement to minority educational institutions shall be governed by further directions issued by the competent authority,” the directorate said.DoE has directed school heads to bring the order to the notice of all teachers and take necessary steps to ensure compliance within the stipulated time.“Any recruitment, appointment or promotion shall be made strictly in accordance with the directions of the Supreme Court and the applicable statutory provisions,” the order states.Supreme Court, in its Sept 1, 2025 judgement, held that TET is a mandatory minimum qualification for teachers and issued directions on their recruitment, appointment, promotion and continuation in service. In a subsequent judgement this year on a review petition, the court modified the timeline for in-service teachers to acquire the qualification.Goa conducts its state TET, while the Central TET is conducted by CBSE on behalf of Union education ministry in 140 cities across the country. Teachers in Goa can appear for either examination to obtain the TET qualification.
