SC slams lapses in posting primary education workers

The Supreme Court Monday gave vent to its ire over state governments flouting guidelines for the appointment of 'Shiksha Sahayaks' for promoting primary education saying it amounted to "spoiling the future of the future generations".

As senior counsel U.U. Lalit, appearing for the Gujarat government, rose to make his submission, the apex court vacation bench of Justice B.S. Chauhan and Justice Dipak Misra asked him "how are these (Shiksha Sahayaks) appointed" and what was the criterion and method of their appointment.

Justice Misra observed that the "populist principalities can be used to spoil the future of the future generations".

Justice Chauhan observed that in Uttar Pradesh 'Shiksha Sahayaks' are known as 'Vidya Mitra' and in public perception they are perceived as 'Vidya Shatru'.

Having expressed its anguish over the way 'Shiksha Sahayaks' were being appointed in pursuance to the Right to Education Act, the court asked "whether this type of system (of recruitment of Shiksha Sahayaks) is in consonance with Article 21A (provides for free and compulsory education to all children of the age of six to 14 years)".

As senior counsel Lalit sought to clarify the point he wanted to address to the court, the court observed: "If the statute provides for the mode of appointment can you assure someone that he would be exclusively appointed."

Pointing to the quality of education, the court said education was the only subject where there was no promotion on the basis of seniority only.

The court asked the Gujarat counsel to place before it the qualification, salary structure and the mode of appointment of 'Shiksha Sahayak' in the state. The court adjourned the hearing and directed the listing of the matter Wednesday.