HC tells govt: Don’t appoint or promote guest teachers till October 11

(Representational)

The Delhi High Court, in an interim order, has restrained authorities from either appointing or promoting guest teachers — who were appointed since 2010 — till October 11.

“Keeping in view the totality of the facts and circumstances, it is therefore directed that till the adjourned date (of October 11), the respondents (Delhi Government, SDMC, EDMC, NDMC and others) …shall maintain status quo and shall not either appoint or promote the guest teachers, who have been appointed from the year 2010 onwards,” said Justice A K Chawla while hearing a contempt plea.

Noting that as per the submission of the Delhi government’s counsel, a Bill would be tabled for “the regularisation of such guest teachers before the legislative assembly on October 4,” the judge said, “ …a Bill is sought to be passed by the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi for regularisation of such guest teachers, possibly, who are appointed since 2010. Here, it is worth noting that while the orders passed by the division bench in 2001 are yet to be implemented…for guest teachers, which are said to be getting appointed as a stop-gap arrangement, the process even for their promotions is continuing…”

On December 20, 2001, a division bench of the High Court, while hearing a PIL filed by NGO Social Jurist, had directed the authorities, including the Delhi Subordinate Services Selection Board, Delhi government and three MCDs to “ensure zero vacancy of teachers on commencement of each academic year”. As this was not complied with, a contempt plea was moved in the High Court in October, 2016.

In April, while hearing the plea, the High Court had directed the Delhi government and the MCDs to send requisition to DSSSB intimating all vacant teaching posts. Following this, the DSSSB issued advertisement dated August 7 for around 14,820 teachers both for Delhi government and MCDs. But, the appointment of around 8,917 teachers for Delhi government schools was withdrawn through a notice on August 24. An application was then filed seeking stay of the notice.

“…The present attempt by the Delhi Government and DSSSB are also to delay the recruitment process,” said the application, adding that the withdrawal of vacancies was “illegal, malafide and against the orders passed by the court,” said the application.