Madurai
Highlighting the importance of the role played by teachers in shaping young minds, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Friday dismissed the petition of a teacher who had faced disciplinary inquiry for serious misconduct and was subsequently dismissed from service.
The court dismissed the petition filed by V. Nagaraj Kannan from Ramanathapuram, who sought a direction to reinstate him with continuity of service and full salary. The court observed that a teacher was placed on a pedestal just below parents. The character and conduct of a teacher was expected to be more like a ‘rishi,’ the court said.
Justice R. Mahadevan observed that teachers played a vital role in the lives of students. Teachers not only build a warm environment, mentor and nurture students but also are role models to them. The teachers also play the role of protector and are required to look into the troubles of students.
“No other personality can have an influence more profound than that of a teacher, who are bound to maintain honesty, integrity and a clean life. To a great measure their behaviour, character, reputation leaves imprints on the minds of young children,” the court said.
If their conduct, behaviour and reputation was full of blemish, that would not be in the interest and for the welfare of children, the court said. The petitioner V. Nagaraj Kannan, a drawing teacher, was dismissed from service by his school management after a disciplinary inquiry for serious misconduct in 2014.
He was found to have been under the influence of alcohol during school hours and had misbehaved with girl students, who had complained of his behaviour to the management. He was also said to have taken leave without permission and not did not report to school regularly. The court dismissed the petition, observing that the serious charges against him proved that he did not befit a teacher.