Right to form association cannot be denied to government teachers, says school edu dept

TNN | Aug 18, 2017, 11:58 PM IST

Chennai: Government school teachers cannot be compelled to admit their children only in government schools, Tamil Nadu govermment informed Madras high court on Friday.

Responding to one among about 20 queries raised by Justice N Kirubakaran last month, asking as to why it should not be made compulsory for the government teachers to admit their wards only in government schools, the school education department said, "a teacher is also a parent in all respect and has the right to exercise their freewill in terms of choice of school of their wards."

While the expectation of the court that the standards will improve if teachers admit their children in government schools has a well-meaning intention, the right if denied would amount to discrimination and compulsion against their free choice, the affidavit filed by additional government pleader P Sanjay Gandhi, said. "Nevertheless, it is submitted that the suggestion of the court would become a reality in due course, when the perception of teachers change in favour of government schools, resulting in their voluntary admission of their wards in government schools," it said.

As for Justice Kirubararan's query why teachers should not be prohibited from forming associations like policemen, the counter-affidavit said: "Right to form association cannot be denied to government teachers, as it would amount to discrimination. Prohibition of such organisations will not yield desired results and may only increase the chances of precipitation as and when crises arise. Also a satisfied and contended workforce will certainly turnout to be a productive workforce as against one that is made to endure unresolved issues that are just and reasonable."

Similarly, replying to another question as to why parents chose private schools even in rural areas, the department said the reason was multi-fold and claimed that enrolment of students in government schools are higher than the private schools. It was 64.16% as against 35.84% in private schools.

The counter was filed in response to a batch of writ petitions from several private educational institutions challenging the orders of the State rejecting their plea for starting English medium sections.