source:-freepressjournal.in<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mumbai<\/strong>:\n In what can spell trouble for thousands of teachers across Maharashtra,\n the Bombay High Court has refused to be ‘sympathetic’ to them and said \nthey would have to appear for the Teachers Eligibility Test (TET) or \nleave their jobs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The HC further said if these primary school \nteachers do not want to get qualified under the TET, then they must make\n way for more qualified persons as free education along with ‘quality’ \nis paramount.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The important order was passed by a bench of \nJustices Satyaranjan Dharmadhikari and Riyaz Chagla while disposing of a\n bunch of petitions filed by teachers challenging the communication of \nthe Director of Education (Primary) mandating all teachers to appear for\n the TET exams, which are scheduled to take place in March.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By \nthis communication, the authorities have clarified that the services of \nteachers who fail to undergo the TET exams will be terminated, and if \nthey are not sacked by the school managements, then their salaries will \nhave to be borne by them as the government would not pay any amount for \nthe same.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The teachers claimed that if they lose their jobs then \nthere will be a direct impact on the education system and the future of \nthe students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Having heard the contentions, Justice Dharmadhikari \nsaid, \u201cUltimately, such policies are framed so as to improve the quality\n of education. The quality of education can be improved only when \ntotally eligible and duly qualified persons are appointed as teachers.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAll\n those who are aware that they were not qualified but have been given an\n opportunity to obtain the qualification and are unable to do so must \ngive way to those who possess such qualifications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The teachers \ninvoke nothing, but the sympathy of this court, apprehending that \nthousands of teachers would be terminated or would lose employment and \nwould have an adverse impact on education,\u201d the bench said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The \nbench further pointed out that if primary education is funded by the \nstate and from public exchequer and public funds, then, equally the \ntaxpayers can demand from the government, a complete ‘transparency and \nfairness’ in the implementation of the policies, including taking harsh \nand penal measures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis expectation (of protective orders) is \nuncalled as it defeats the very purpose of The Right of Children to Free\n and Compulsory Education Act, 2009. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The object and purpose are \nto make primary education free and compulsory. However, this is not at \nthe cost of quality,\u201d Justice Dharmadhikari held.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The bench \nfurther observed that primary education shapes the mind and personality \nof a child and if the right values are not inculcated and imbibed at \nthis early age, s\/he would not be interested in education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In its \nbrief order, the bench has said that if there is a direction from the \nunion government, then it would not allow the state to deviate from the \nrigour of the same. \u201cWe are of the firm opinion that none of the \nteachers have a vested or fundamental right to question such policy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \n They must realise that they have no right to continue if they fail to \nclear the test and they cannot dictate to the government or to this \ncourt that no such tests should be held and that their job should be \nprotected,\u201d the bench said.<\/p>\n