Aided school teachers: Kerala HC asks govt to provide details of steps needed for fair selection process
Kochi: High court has directed the director of general education (DGE) to file an affidavit within seven days, detailing the steps required to ensure a fair selection process for the appointment of teachers in govt-aided schools in the state.
Justice D K Singh gave the order on a petition filed by certain higher secondary school teachers challenging the deduction of a levy towards the contributory pension under the National Pension Scheme (NPS) from their salaries.
In its interim order, the bench observed that, as of now, managers have absolute discretion to appoint any qualified individual as a teacher without following any formal selection process or advertising the posts.
The court also questioned how such appointments are being approved by the educational authorities despite the absence of a due selection procedure. Prima facie, the court noted that there appears to be a nexus between school managements and educational authorities, enabling appointments not based on merit but on considerations other than merit.
The court further directed the DGE to file an affidavit outlining steps to streamline a fair selection process for the teachers' appointment in govt-aided schools and to curb the malpractices currently prevalent in such appointments.
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The affidavit must also clarify the nature of the selection committee constituted, whether the manager has absolute authority to constitute it, and whether the govt has any role in the process.
If the affidavit is not filed before the next posting date of the petition, the DGE shall appear in person before court.
The bench also directed that an affidavit from the principal secretary of general education be filed on the same issues before the next posting date, and adjourned the matter to June 20.
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