Delhi govt is inactive in education says SC

The Supreme Court on March 9 asked explanation from the Delhi Government for remaining inactive in education sector for years and hence violating children’s fundamental right to education. Many government schools in Delhi do not have adequate teaching staff and till date no action had been taken by the Delhi government.

The Bench comprising Justices Dalveer Bhandari and KS Radhakrishnan while talking about the issue said that according to the Article 21A of the Constitution, free and compulsory education is a fundamental right of children. However, the Directorate of Education in Delhi is totally careless about the fact that posts of principals, vice-principals and teachers are vacant since 2007 which have been not filled till date.

Even, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) had repeatedly asked the government for filling up of 19 posts of principals which are lying vacate since August 2007. Recruitment was also to take place in 2007 for the posts of the principals but the government officials did not pay any attention. And hence the Supreme Court has refused to accept any excuses put forward by the government regarding the issue.

The Bench ordered,

“We direct the chief secretary of the Delhi government to hold an inquiry and submit a report to this court within four weeks as to why no action had been taken for filling up these posts of principals. The report shall indicate role of concerned officials and the action proposed to be taken against them for dereliction of duty.”

The court has found that post of 251 principals, 529 PGTs, 5,485 TGTs, 72 domestic science teachers and 392 laboratory assistants are still vacant in Government-run schools in Delhi. The Bench pointed out that if principle is not present in the school many students will suffer in their education.  The Bench has decided to task the officials who are responsible for this serious issue.

It also clarified that even though the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) has failed in their duty as filling up other posts in the schools is mainly their responsibility.