Are you thinking of becoming a government teacher in Rajasthan, India?
In this article, I have summarized the different types of teachers, their required qualifications, age criteria, salary expectations, selection processes, and potential for career progression. It covers both government and private teaching roles, as well as opportunities in central government schools.
Key Takeaways
- Comprehensive overview of the teaching profession in Rajasthan.
- The government teaching system, with clear qualifications, selection processes, and promotion paths.
- The variability in the private teaching sector, particularly in terms of salary and selection methods.
- The role of a teacher in shaping students’ lives suggests a societal value placed on education.
Key Facts and Theme
- Types of Government Teachers in Rajasthan: There are three primary categories of teachers in the Rajasthan context:
- First Grade Teachers (PGT – Post Graduate Teachers): Teach classes 11th and 12th.
- Second Grade Teachers (TGT – Trained Graduate Teachers): Teach classes 9th to 10th.
- Third Grade Teachers (Primary Teachers): Divided into Level 1 (classes 1st-5th) and Level 2 (classes 6th-8th).
- The Role of a Teacher: Beyond imparting subject knowledge, teachers are portrayed as having a broader role in shaping students’ moral, social, and personal development. They “provide inspiring assistance to students.”
- Qualifications & Age Requirements: Each teacher type has specific educational qualifications and age requirements.
- Selection Processes: These are based on examination and document verification processes for each type of teaching role.
- Salary & Career Progression: Starting salaries and avenues for promotion are discussed for both government and private sector teachers.
- Central Government Schools: Central government schools such as Kendriya Vidyalaya, Navodaya Vidyalaya, and Sainik Schools.
Teacher Types and Qualifications
First Grade (PGT): Classes Taught: 11th & 12th
- Qualifications: “At least a post-graduation degree” in any stream (MA, MCom, MSc, etc.), plus a B.Ed. degree. “In Rajasthan to turn into a teacher you should do a B.Ed.” Requires passing the Pre-Teacher Education Test (PTET) to pursue B.Ed.
- Age: Required – Minimum 21 years, and maximum 40 years.
- Selection Process: Exam conducted by RPSC (Rajasthan Public Service Commission), two papers: General Knowledge and subject-specific exam. Followed by document verification and a merit-based cut-off list.
Second Grade (TGT): Classes Taught: 9th to 10th
- Qualifications: Graduation in any stream (BA, BSc, BCom etc.), plus a B.Ed. degree.
- Age: Required – Minimum 18 years, and maximum 40 years.
- Selection Process: Exam conducted by RPSC, two papers: General Knowledge and subject-specific exam. Followed by document verification and a merit-based cut-off list.
Third Grade (Primary):
Level 1 (Classes 1st-5th):
- Qualifications: 12th pass plus either Basic School Teaching Certificate (BSTC) or Diploma in Elementary Education (D.El.Ed).
Level 2 (Classes 6th-8th):
- Qualifications: Graduation plus a B.Ed. degree.
- Age: Required – Minimum 18 years, and maximum 40 years.
- Selection Process: Requires clearing the REET (Rajasthan Eligibility Examination for Teachers) exam, followed by a main exam, document verification, and a merit-based cut-off list. “The REET exam is basically an eligibility exam, until your REET exam is cleared, you will not be able to give the main exam.”
Private School Teachers:
- Qualifications: Minimum graduation plus a B.Ed degree.
- Age: Required – Minimum 18 years, maximum age varies by school.
- Salary: Starting from 15,000 to 20,000 rupees, increases with experience.
- Selection Process: Varies by school, may involve interviews, tests, or both. “There is no fixed selection process.”
Central Government School Teachers (Kendriya Vidyalaya, Navodaya Vidyalaya, Sainik Schools):
- Qualifications: Minimum graduation plus a B.Ed degree.
- Age: Required – Minimum 18 years, and maximum 40 years.
- Salary: Starting salary from 35,000 to 1,00,000 rupees, varies with the level of teaching.
- Selection Process: Must clear the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) then apply for vacancies.
Salaries and Career Progression
Government Teacher Salaries (Approximate):
- First Grade (PGT): Starting salary of 60,000 rupees after probation period, with yearly increases.
- Second/Third Grade: Starting salary of 40,000-50,000 rupees, with yearly increases.
Private Teacher Salaries: Starting from 15,000-20,000 rupees, increasing with experience.
Central Government School Teacher Salaries: Starting salary 35,000 to 1,00,000 depending on the level of teaching and experience.
Promotion in the Government Sector:
- Third-grade teachers can be promoted to Headmasters of primary schools.
- Second Grade teachers can be promoted to Vice Principal or Principal with 5-10 years of experience.
- First Grade teachers can be promoted to Principal and further to District Education Officer (DEO). “The key job role of a DEO is to deal with all of the government schools in that district or city.”
- DEOs can be further promoted to Director of Education.
- Promotion through departmental exams is also possible: “If you want to get promoted faster, you can apply for government vacancies and clear the exams to get promoted.”
Conclusion
Becoming a teacher in Rajasthan involves a clear path of education, qualifications, and examinations. The specific requirements vary depending on the grade level, the type of school (government, private, or central government), and the desired career trajectory. The Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) degree is important for many roles and the need to pass specific entrance or eligibility tests for government positions. Teachers are not just instructors but guides for moral and social development.
Frequently Asked Questions: Becoming a Government Teacher in Rajasthan
Glossary of Key Terms
- First Grade Teacher (PGT): Also known as Post Graduate Teacher, they teach students in classes 11th and 12th.
- Second Grade Teacher (TGT): Also known as Trained Graduate Teacher, they teach students in classes 6th to 10th.
- Primary Teacher (Third Grade Teacher): Teachers who educate students in classes 1st to 5th; they are also divided into Level 1 (classes 1-5) and Level 2 (classes 6-8).
- B.Ed: Bachelor of Education degree, a professional qualification for teaching.
- BSTC: Basic School Teaching Certificate; a qualification for teaching primary classes in Rajasthan.
- D.El.Ed: Diploma in Elementary Education; an alternative qualification for teaching primary classes in Rajasthan.
- PTET: Pre Teacher Education Test; a required exam in Rajasthan to qualify for B.Ed studies.
- RPSC: Rajasthan Public Service Commission; the body that conducts exams for First and Second Grade teachers in the government sector.
- REET: Rajasthan Eligibility Examination for Teachers; the eligibility exam to become a third grade teacher in Rajasthan.
- CTET: Central Teacher Eligibility Test; the eligibility exam to become a teacher in Central Government schools.
- Headmaster: A teacher, promoted to the management role of a primary school.
- Principal: The head of a secondary or higher secondary school.
- Vice-Principal: An administrator below the principal in a school.
- District Education Officer (DEO): A district-level official responsible for managing all government schools in the city.
- Director of Education: The highest administrative role in the education system.