Are BEd degrees from Andhra University & Acharya Nagarjuna University invalid in Odisha?

Bhubaneswar: Amid demand for banning the teacher education degrees from universities outside Odisha, the state government today clarified its stand on the issue.

The Higher Education department of Odisha government made its stand clear on the issue while replying to a petition filed by Rashmi Ranjan Acharya, who had sought a ban on teacher education degrees from Andhra University and Acharya Nagarjuna University.

The Higher Education department, in its reply, said there is no provision of law to declare certificates granted by different universities as invalid unless they are forged.

Besides, candidates coming with certificates of any universities, including Andhra University or Acharya Nagarjuna University, are required to appear and qualify in Odisha Teachers’ Eligibility Test (OTET) to teach at the elementary level and Odisha Secondary School Teachers’ Eligibility Test (OSSTET) to teach at the secondary level, said Higher Education department Additional Secretary Ramakanta Nayak while replying to Acharya’s petition.