NGO files contempt plea in Delhi HC on teachers' vacancies

An NGO on Friday moved the Delhi High Court to seek action against the Delhi government and authorities of three municipal corporations for alleged non-compliance with the court's earlier order on filling teachers' vacancies.

Non-governmental organisation Social Jurist said a division bench of the high court passed orders in 2001, wherein authorities were required to ensure there was zero vacancy of teachers at the commencement of each academic year.

The petition sought action against officials concerned for such "deliberate and intentional disobedience" of the court's order since 26,031 vacant posts of teachers existed at present.

"Due to deliberate omission on part of the contemnors, as many as 26,031 (this does not include 9 000 new posts created by the Delhi government) posts of teachers are still lying vacant in the Delhi government and schools run by three MCDs, depriving the students of their fundamental right to quality education," the plea said.

It said the studies of more than 21 lakh students studying in these government and MCD schools had been affected as a result and that their fundamental right to education violated.

The matter is likely to be heard on October 17.

--IANS

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