The term ‘para’ has many connotations. In terms of qualifications, all teachers will have to have the same qualification in five years, so there can be no less qualified ‘para’ teachers after five years. It can also mean contractual. That is covered by service rules and conditions, and since teachers are mostly state government employees (except for Kendriya, Navodaya or similar schools of the central government) that is a preserve of state governments and as per the Act will be prescribed by them. The Model Rules however mandate that the service conditions prepared by the states provide for and enable long term stake of teachers in the teaching profession. Short term teaching contracts would therefore not be compatible with such a principle.