Govt School Teachers Sending Own Kids To Pvt Schools Shows Their Failure: Madras HC [Read Order]

With many teachers not reporting promptly to duty, with concentration on their side businesses, even God cannot save Government School students, especially rural students. There is no use in opening English medium sections without revamping the system in toto,” the bench said.

The Madras High Court on Tuesday lamented the sad state of affairs at government schools and observed that government school teachers placing their children in private schools evidences the dismal state of teaching in government schools.

“The very fact that the Government teachers are admitting their children in private schools indicates that the standard of teaching should be high in the private schools, which the teachers themselves fail to give to their own students in the Government schools,” Justice N. Kirubakaran observed.

“Unless, teachers are committed to teach the students, our future would not be bright. With many of teachers not reporting promptly to duty, with concentration on their side businesses, even God cannot save Government School students, especially rural students. There is no use in opening English medium sections without revamping the system in toto,” the Judge added.

The court is hearing a petition filed by government-aided Pasupathy Aided Middle School, Pandanallur, Thanjavur district, challenging rejection of its application by the school education department secretary for starting English medium sections.

The school has alleged discrimination against government aided private schools when compared to government schools, in matters of granting permission to introduce English medium sections. It further brought to the notice of the court that such government schools were not employing new qualified teachers in their English medium sections.

Taking note of the submission, the court observed, “If it is true, the very purpose of starting English medium sections would be frustrated… it seems appropriate hands are not employed by the Government in English medium sections. Without appointing and having proper, well-trained teachers with English knowledge, imparting English to the students would not be achieved.”

The court opined that it is the attitude of teachers working in government schools that has led to the downfall of the quality of education imparted in these institutions. It went on to suggest that the government may consider involving voluntary organisations, NGOs and private players in running/ managing/ administering government schools in the rural areas, in order to improve the quality of education.

Posting the matter on July 14, Justice Kirubakaran then raised a set of 20 queries for the authorities to respond to.