The Kerala Government Primary School Headmasters’ Association has protested against denial of higher grade to headmasters in the name of not getting K-TET (Teachers’ Eligibility Test) qualification.

The association, in a statement, said that according to a Supreme Court judgment TET was mandatory to get promotions from September 1, 2025, and continue in service after August 2030. Arguing that K-TET was needed to get higher grade was a misinterpretation of the court ruling. Equating higher grade with promotion was a violation of the essence of the Kerala Service Rules. Higher grade was a financial relief that one got while continuing in the same post without promotion. The post or the nature of work did not change. However, both changed on getting a promotion, the association said.

A petition had been submitted to Minister for General Education N. Samsudheen in this regard, the association said, seeking a decision at the earliest.