Saurabh Malik
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, June 28
The Punjab and Haryana High Court today said it was not clear whether college students were being imparted education in Punjab after the relieving of the teachers hired on contractual basis and expressed surprise that the state had so far not paid heed to this important aspect.
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Key aspect overlooked
This dispute leads to an anomalous situation as studies of college students shall suffer immensely as there would be no education from trained teachers. It is surprising Punjab has paid no heed so far to this important aspect.
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The assertion by the Bench of Justice Rajan Gupta and Justice Karamjit Singh came on an appeal filed by Harleen Kaur and another petitioner against the state and other respondents.
As the matter came up for preliminary hearing, it was contended before the Bench that the appellants, who were already inducted as teachers on contract basis, were sought to be removed by other teachers on the same terms and conditions. The counsel for the petitioners contended this was impermissible in law.
After hearing the contentions, the Bench asked the counsel whether the appellants were already in service. Responding to the court query, the counsel submitted they had already been relieved.
Taking note of the submission, the Bench asserted it was, as such, not clear whether the college students were being imparted education in the state of Punjab in view of the pending dispute between teachers.
Issuing notice of motion to the respondents, the Bench fixed the matter for July second week for the counsel to seek instructions from the state.
The matter was placed before the Division Bench after a Single Judge of the High Court dismissed a bunch of nine petitions filed by the petitioner-teachers appointed on contractual basis.
The Single Judge had taken note of the submission that certain petitioners had not qualified the National Eligibility Test. Once they were not even qualified to be appointed, it would not be in the interest of the students to ensure their continuation in the service, the Single Bench had asserted.
Unclear if students getting edu after teachers relieved: Punjab and Haryana High Court
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