Teachers can't be asked to perform non-educational duties outside RTE Act

The Delhi High Court has taken the authorities to task for assigning duties to schoolteachers which are "not remotely" connected to imparting education.

The high court held that principals and teachers cannot be asked by municipal corporations to perform duties outside the purview of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act and rules under it.

Justice C Hari Shankar set aside several notifications issued by the corporations requiring the principals and teachers to conduct household survey and participate in preparation of the Ward Education Register.

The court, however, clarified that authorities are justified in seeking assistance of principals and teachers to aid in opening bank accounts of children in the school and linking them with Aadhaar cards, but the requirement cannot be treated as "mandatory" and cannot be made a basis for proceeding against them for non-rendering adequate assistance.

"This court is constrained to take judicial notice of the fact that there is a prevalent practice, in recent times, of schools assigning to teachers duties and tasks not remotely connected to imparting of education. This, in the opinion of this court, is impermissible and unconscionable in equal measure," it said.

The court added, "Education is a serious affair, and teachers are justifiably regarded as discharging divine duties, nourishing and nurturing the minds of tomorrow. Single-minded devotion, and blind pursuit of excellence must guide every educator. It is no less than an affront, therefore, to belabour teachers with tasks which deflect, detract and distract, from the noble task of imparting education."