Andhra Pradesh HC Issues Notice To State On Plea Challenging Disparate English-Proficiency Tests For Teachers Recruited To State-Aided Schools

The Andhra Pradesh High Court has directed the State to file its reply in a PIL filed challenging two Government Orders as violative of obligations conferred under Right to Education Act 2009.

The PIL was filed challenging the orders by way of which, some teachers set to be recruited into State-run Schools were put through an 'English proficiency test' as a prerequisite for recruitment, and some teachers were not.

The matter was posted before the Division Bench of Chief Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur and Justice R Raghunandan Rao.

The petitioner stated that earlier, the State-run schools within the jurisdiction of Andhra Pradesh were both English and Hindi/Telugu medium. However, subsequently, by way of another GO, all government schools running within the State were made English medium, it was stated.

The petitioner contended that GOMS 11, was introduced for non-English medium schools, and no English proficiency test was mandated under the said GO. However, it stated that now that all State-sponsored schools are English medium, the standards for recruitment should be the same. It was prayed that the GO be quashed directing the respondents to appoint qualified teachers and treat all the schools in the state on a similar footing.

The Counsel on behalf of the State submitted that the schools that were converted to English Medium schools were originally schools that ran at the Zilla level and although the recruitment process does not mandate an English proficiency test, the GO mandates an apprenticeship post recruitment.

“What is the point of not having the best English teachers? What he's trying to say is that unless the teacher is proficient in English, we are compromising the learning of the students. This is a policy decision, so it must be because of something like not all posts are getting filled. You file your objections, explaining” Chief Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur noted.

Thus, the matter was adjourned and posted for the reply of the State.

WP(PIL) 78/2024

Counsel for petitioner: Karumanchi Indraneel Babu

Counsel for respondent: GP for education.