Primary Teacher Should Be One Of The Highest Paid Employees Under Government: Madhya Pradesh High Court

"In fact, a primary teacher should be one of the highest-paid employees under the government so that the most meritorious available in the society is attracted and the best out of them have sterling qualities are ultimately picked up to be appointed as teachers," the Bench of Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Deepak Kumar Agarwal observed further.

The Court observed thus as it dismissed the plea of D.El.Ed. course (Teacher Training Programme) students, who, despite failing in more than one theory subjects in the second year, sought a second chance to appear for the examination.

At the outset, the Court observed that teachers were a revered class of celebrated citizens in ancient times and were treated with great respect and reverence by one and all as they used to instill morality, competence, discipline, and merit, especially in primary schools.

Against this backdrop, the Court said that it was aware of the rapidly falling standards of Primary Education, especially in Government Sector and that the Teacher Training Programme like D.El.Ed prescribes very low passing marks thereby enabling persons of average and below-average academic qualifications and competence to become teachers.

"It is common knowledge that a non-meritorious and an ill-equipped teacher would be an obstacle for the betterment of standards of Primary Education in Government Sector. Less meritorious and incompetent teachers would breed incompetent students," observed the Court.

The Court also opined that the State Government, in particular, The State of Madhya Pradesh has prescribed a very low minimum standards in Teacher Training Programme which has led to an influx of average and below-average persons becoming teachers in Primary Schools in the Government Sector.

"…the ultimate loser is the innocent child who on being admitted to a primary school in a Government Sector hopes and expects of being taught good quality education which not only teaches the child reading, writing & arithmetic, but also the ability to distinguish between right and wrong, moral and immoral and above all to learn discipline in life to become useful for the Society and nation. These foundational traits can be instilled in a child only when the teachers teaching the child are of sterling quality, in character, conduct, behavior and human values," the Court noted.

Consequently, the Court made an "earnest request" to he Government and its functionaries including lawmakers that by way of statutory or other provisions, they incorporate exceptionally high standards of minimum qualification and merit as requisites eligibility criteria for a person seeking admission to any Teacher Training Programme.

"This will undoubtedly help in imparting education of highest standards and not merely literacy to children in primary schools in Government Sector," added the Court.

"This Court hopes and prays that if effort is made by the State and its functionaries and law making bodies in this direction, the rapidly falling standards of education in Primary Schools in Government Sector can not only be halted but reversed," the Court further noted.

Case in brief

The Bench was presiding over a petition filed by few persons who, while serving as Samvida Shala Shikshak GradeIII, took admission in two-year D.El.Ed. course in 2013-2014.

Thereafter, having failed in their first attempt (in more than one theory subjects) in the second year D.El.Ed Examination, they claimed a second chance to reappear and pass the second year D.El.Ed Examination.

Therefore, the Court dismissed their plea while noting that it was not inclined to grant relief to the petitioners who have failed in more than one theory subjects in the second year.

"…Court cannot become a party to enable non-meritorious persons to be admitted to a teacher training programme, especially when this Court is conscious of the fact that allowing said non-meritorious persons to become teachers would be disastrous for the future of innocent children in primary schools in Government Sector," concluded the Court.

Case title - Seema Shakya and others vs. The Board of Secondary Education thr. And others

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