Delhi High Court
Social Jurist vs Union Of India (Uoi) And Ors. on 7 April, 2003
Equivalent citations: 104 (2003) DLT 727, 2003 (70) DRJ 728
Bench: B Patel, B D Ahmed
ORDER
1. Mr. T.C. Arora, Deputy Education Officer of MCD has filed an affidavit in this Court. In para 5 of his affidavit he has pointed out that facilities such as library, laboratories, etc. are provided. He has stated many things in great detail in the affidavit but we need not refer to all of them.
2. In para 6 he has pointed out that there are 20979 posts of primary teachers which are sanctioned. Out of which 18148 teachers are working. Delhi Subordinate Staff Selection Board was forwarded requisition for appointment of the teachers. On 13th May, 2002, the Board published an advertisement. Applications were received from various categories. It is pointed out that in view of the pendency of the Court cases before the Court, the DSSSB has not declared the result of reserved categories as well as remaining candidates in general categories. In view of this, the department has engaged 1337 primary teachers on contract basis. The contract period has been extended up to 9.5.2003. With regard to the other facilities such a quality of education--learning of science through environmental studies, organisation of science fair and exhibitions, conducting of science talent test and general scholarship exams, reforms in exam, tournaments and celebration of children day (Gandhi Jayanti, Independence Day and Republic Day), children resource centre orientation programme for teachers, competitions for teachers and students, time-table, tours for teachers and students, seminars for officers, zonal award, Municipal award, State award and national award, Morning Assembly and Bal Sabha, Teaching of
English as a subject are pointed out in the affidavit. Over and above other activities such as co-curricular activities like mass drill, Yogic Asans, indoor games, gardening, news paper reading, wall magazine, school decoration, fancy dress, soap making candle making, chalk making, celebration of festivals of all religions, Teacher's Day, Prabhat Phers and cleanness, etc. as stated are being organized.
3. In view of the affidavit, it appears that the respondents are now taking care. In para 8, it is also pointed out that quality education and providing other facilities related to this aspect is an area where sufficient work has been done and a lot is still to be done. There is always scope for betterment. Deponent undertakes to put his maximum efforts towards the improvement of quality of education.
4. For this purpose, we would like to see that highest officer of the department should file an affidavit and he should not leave it to the person who is working under his control. Whenever, an affidavit is filed in the High Court, it should be that of the officer competent to take a decision in the matter and not by a clerk or subordinate officer.
5. Similarly, the affidavit should be filed by Additional Director of Education, Directorate of Education, Government of NCT.
6. We have considered various aspects mentioned in the petition, particularly, in para 7 with regard to quality of education in Government Schools. The said respondent should also file an undertaking about the betterment of education and for appointment of teachers. The affidavits to be filed within a period of two weeks. Similar detailed affidavit with undertaking shall be filed by NDMC. Over and above this, they shall also file statement indicating the improvement after the period of three months.
7. We dispose of the petition with the aforesaid direction. The copy of the report be submitted to the Counsel for the petitioner. It would be open for him to approach the Court in case of any difficulty.
Hence, the petition stands disposed of.
