The Delhi High Court issued a notice on Tuesday in a PIL seeking the appointment of Principals and Vice-Principals on vacant positions in all government schools in the national capital.
While scheduling a hearing on July 10, a division bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad sought responses from the Delhi Government, Lt. Governor, and State Council of Educational Research and Training.
The petition has been moved by four teachers who work in government schools run by the Delhi government. It was filed through advocates Jyoti Taneja and Aastha Gupta.
In addition to seeking appointments to the vacant positions, the petition also seeks a directions that all government schools in Delhi provide three basic streams to students in Class XI and XII, namely Science, Arts, and Commerce.
A directive is also sought for the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to monitor and investigate issues concerning school infrastructure, as well as for the Delhi Government to develop comprehensive guidelines for sending teachers to foreign countries for training programmes.
The petition has been moved in response to the Delhi government’s proposed decision last year to send selected teachers from government schools on a training programme to Finland at the expense of the government.
“It is submitted that the same is completely based on favouritism, as no established criteria has been set out for the selection of deserving candidates. The fate of one’s appointment or shortlisting is predetermined due to subjectivity in such appointments, which reflects inherent disability-clogging potential appointees,” the plea stated.
It has been submitted that, rather than organising “fancy international training programmes,” the Delhi government should focus on the welfare of students by taking effective steps to address the irregularities that are wreaking havoc on Delhi’s basic education system.
“There is an urgent need for better infrastructure in Delhi’s government schools, which are in disrepair. There are numerous infrastructure issues that require immediate attention. Furthermore, before sending teachers to Finland or other countries for training, a comprehensive policy based on cost-benefit analysis is required, rather than arbitrary unreasonable decisions/actions as proposed by the Delhi Government,” the plea continued.
It has also been stated that “international leisure trips” for selected teachers would not improve their skills, but rather would reduce funds available for the Delhi education system.
“While the Delhi government makes lofty claims about bringing a revolution to the education sector, the ground reality is quite different. The government schools are in shambles and dilapidated condition, with broken benches thrown outside, blemished drinking water coolers, and poor infrastructure with regard to the premises,” the petition stated.
