"Eligible to Teach, But Not Hired": Candidates Slam DSE Over Graduate Teacher Rejections

In a glaring example of procedural irony, a section of candidates who applied for the post of Graduate Teacher (Mathematics) under the Directorate of Secondary Education (DSE), Assam, have been left in the lurch after being rejected over technicalities in qualification—despite having postgraduate degrees in Mathematics.

The recruitment drive, advertised for 8004 posts in provincialised secondary schools across the state, had earmarked 1737 positions for Graduate Teachers in Mathematics. However, several aspiring candidates are now staring at rejection letters citing non-fulfilment of eligibility criteria—triggering confusion, frustration, and cries of unfair treatment.

The Crux of the Issue

The DSE advertisement had clearly outlined the eligibility norms for the post:

A Graduate Teacher (Mathematics) must have a Graduation Degree in Science with Honours or Major in Mathematics, and Physics, Chemistry or Biology as pass course or minor subjects, or
A Postgraduate Degree in Mathematics from a recognised university with Honours or Major in Mathematics, also with PCB subjects at undergraduate level, and at least 50% marks in either graduation or postgraduation, along with a B.Ed. degree from a recognised institution.

However, the problem arises in interpretation.

A significant number of applicants did not have Mathematics as a Major or Honours subject at the undergraduate level, but possessed a Postgraduate degree in Mathematics—with B.Ed. and other required qualifications. According to them, the DSE's own eligibility clause allows for such profiles. Yet, during document verification, they allege they were disqualified or put on hold simply because they did not meet the “Honours in Mathematics at Graduation” requirement, which, they argue, is not the sole criterion as per the official advertisement.

Candidates Speak Out: “We’re PG in Maths but Not Fit to Teach Maths in Class 10?”

Several affected candidates visited the Directorate’s office to seek clarification. To their shock, they claim officials informed them that they were “eligible for Post Graduate Teacher (Mathematics)”, but “not suitable for Graduate Teacher (Mathematics)”.

“This is absurd. If we are eligible to be recruited as Post Graduate Teachers and the new DSE notification clearly says PG teachers will also teach classes 9 and 10, then how are we suddenly not eligible to teach as Graduate Teachers in the same classes?” a disqualified candidate told Pratidin Time.

This contradiction has become the flashpoint of the controversy. Candidates are questioning the logic: “If we are good enough to teach Class 9 and 10 as PG Teachers, why not as Graduate Teachers in Mathematics?”

Form Filling Trap: Candidates Say Portal Allowed PG Entry, But Still Rejected

During the application process, candidates were asked two separate questions. The first asked whether they had a major or honours in Mathematics at the graduation level. A section of candidates, who did not meet this specific criterion, truthfully selected “No.”

However, the same form later asked whether they had a postgraduate degree in Mathematics. These candidates answered “Yes” and were subsequently shown as eligible for the post of Graduate Teacher (Mathematics).

Many of them cleared the required cut-off marks and were under the impression that their eligibility—based on the PG route allowed in the official advertisement—was valid. But during the document verification stage, they were either put on hold or rejected, triggering outrage and raising concerns over inconsistencies in the selection process.

DSE's Own Rules Now Under Scanner

As per the Assam Secondary Education (Provincialised Schools) (Amendment) Service Rules, 2021, degrees from study centres outside the territorial jurisdiction of Assam are not considered valid unless recognised by DEC under UGC. However, degrees from KKHSOU, IGNOU, IDOL (GU), and Dibrugarh University are deemed acceptable. Many candidates clarified they hold valid degrees from these recognised institutions, yet were rejected without specific reasoning.

Mounting Discontent and Demand for Transparency

Now, with careers at stake, candidates are demanding:

• Immediate review of the rejected applications based on the full scope of eligibility criteria as per the advertisement.

• Clarification on how the same candidate can be deemed eligible for a higher-level post (PG Teacher) but ineligible for a lower-level post (Graduate Teacher) teaching the same classes.

• Rectification of the application process design flaws that failed to account for PG-based eligibility.

• Transparent communication and redressal mechanism to address grievances and restore faith in the recruitment process.

This controversy has cast a shadow over the credibility of the ongoing recruitment drive by DSE Assam, with affected candidates now contemplating legal and protest routes if their appeals are not heard.

As the academic year inches forward, Assam’s future educators remain stuck in bureaucratic limbo—armed with degrees, merit, and intent, but blocked by procedural misinterpretation.

If the DSE fails to provide clarity and redress soon, what is being described today as an "oversight" may soon evolve into a full-blown controversy over discrimination and denial of opportunity to qualified teachers.

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