The Supreme Court will deliberate on Monday over demands for amendments to a decision rendering B.Ed degree holders ineligible for recruitment as primary teachers. 

This contentious issue stems from a ruling issued on August 11, 2023, which sparked nationwide repercussions and placed the livelihoods of many B.Ed graduates in jeopardy.

At the heart of the matter lies the question of whether the Supreme Court's verdict will apply retrospectively or prospectively, a query that has stirred heated debate among stakeholders and legal experts alike. 

The ruling, handed down in the case of Devesh Sharma, established that only holders of BTC (Basic Training Certificate) and D.El.Ed (Diploma in Elementary Education) qualifications are eligible for primary teaching positions. This decision upheld a similar stance taken by the Rajasthan High Court, thereby solidifying its impact across the country.

With the Madhya Pradesh government and numerous affected individuals filing petitions seeking amendments and clarifications to the order, the Supreme Court finds itself at the epicenter of a legal conundrum with far-reaching implications. 

Advocates representing both sides presented their arguments during a recent hearing, with Senior Counsel Gopal Shankaranarayanan contending that the court need not entertain petitions seeking a review of the established judgment. 

Shankaranarayanan emphasized that the Patna, Chhattisgarh, and Uttarakhand High Courts had already ruled in favor of applying the Supreme Court's decision retrospectively.

However, advocates representing B.Ed degree holders in states such as Bihar and Rajasthan, including Sr. Adv. PS Patwalia, pressed for a fair hearing, underscoring the urgency of the matter. Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh Primary Teachers' Association, through Senior Counsels Aparajita Singh and Gaurav Yadav, brought forth a petition urging the court to consider their plea for regularizing teachers in the wake of the ruling.

During the proceedings, the bench, comprising Justice Aniruddha Bose and Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia, postponed the hearing until Monday. Additionally, the central government was directed to furnish details regarding the total number of vacant primary teaching positions and bridge courses available across all states.