Court seeks responses from Centre and Assam government on PIL challenging the constitutional validity of the teacher provincialisation framework
Guwahati: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Assam government and its education departments not to appoint or absorb teachers in schools and colleges under the state’s provincialisation scheme.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana issued the direction while hearing a PIL challenging the constitutional validity of the framework governing the provincialisation of teachers and employees of venture educational institutions.
The petitioners argued that the scheme permits entry into substantive government service without a fair, transparent and competitive recruitment process.
They also challenged provisions of the Assam Education (Provincialisation of Services of Teachers and Re-organisation of Educational Institutions) Act, 2017, alleging that it allows the absorption of persons who do not meet prescribed teacher eligibility requirements.
The court directed that no appointments or absorptions be made under the applicable statutory framework and issued notices to the Centre, Assam government and senior education officials. The petitioners have alleged that the mechanism violates Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution.
The development comes days after Education Minister Ranoj Pegu said tutors without B.Ed or D.El.Ed qualifications, or those who have not cleared TET, cannot be upgraded to regular teachers.
Also Read: IPFT Leader Allegedly Attacked by Tipra Motha Supporters Ahead of Tripura Village Polls
