Bhubaneswar, Aug. 16 (UDN): The Odisha government has approved the engagement of 5,740 retired teachers as Guest Teachers in government and aided secondary schools across the state for the 2026–27 academic session.
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The move is aimed at addressing teacher shortages and ensuring that classroom teaching continues without disruption until regular teachers are appointed and join their respective schools.
Retired Teachers to Fill Vacancies
The School & Mass Education Department has approved the continuation of the Guest Teacher Scheme, under which experienced retired teachers can be re-engaged against vacant posts.
The guest teachers will serve until regularly appointed teachers join or until the end of the 2026–27 academic session, whichever comes earlier.
The scheme will cover government, fully aided, block grant high schools and Sanskrit TOL schools.
DEOs Asked to Follow Vacancy Norms
District Education Officers (DEOs) have been directed to engage retired teachers only against vacancies reported by the Directorate of Secondary Education and after obtaining approval from the respective District Collectors.
The government has also specified that guest teachers working in schools where newly recruited Trained Graduate Teachers (TGTs) join will be relieved immediately.
However, such retired teachers may subsequently be engaged in other schools where teacher vacancies continue to exist.
Special Provision for Sanskrit Schools
Under a special provision, retired I.A.CT. and Matric-CT teachers from Sanskrit TOL institutions will also be eligible for engagement as Guest Teachers in Sanskrit TOL schools, subject to the prescribed rules.
The arrangement is expected to make use of the experience of retired educators while the state works to fill regular teaching vacancies.
Finance Department Gives Clearance
The engagement will be governed by the School & Mass Education Department’s August 17, 2016 Resolution, along with subsequent amendments and clarifications issued in 2018.
The Director of Secondary Education has been tasked with overseeing implementation and submitting periodic progress reports to the government.
The expenditure will be met from the approved Administrative Expenditure (EOM) budget. The Finance Department has also given its concurrence, clearing the way for implementation of the scheme across eligible schools in Odisha.
