Standard of government schools falling - apex court

Updated on: Thursday, July 01, 2010

Senior Supreme Court judge Mukundakam Sharma on Thursday said that although teachers in government schools get higher salaries and facilities, the standard and quality of education in such schools are deteriorating as compared to private ones.

Addressing a seminar here on access to justice and socio-economic development in northeast India, Justice Sharma said, "Teachers should not be engaged in election, census and such type of duties as it harms the teaching schedule."

He said, "The right to education legislation is expected to change the scenario of schooling, teachers' appointment, education curriculum and related aspects."

The chief justice of the Supreme Court had constituted a committee under the chairmanship of Justice Sharma earlier this year to ensure that there is access to justice and socio-economic development in northeastern states.

Accordingly, the committee launched a campaign with a two-day regional seminar in Guwahati. President Pratibha Patil had inaugurated the seminar on April 17.

"We would hold seminars, workshops and interactive programmes in all northeastern states and gather opinion and views from people of all walks of life before submitting the report to the Supreme Court for taking appropriate action," Justice Sharma said.

The seminars, workshops and interactive programmes are being held on eight issues -- "Right to Education - a northeastern perspective", "northeast region and media", "environment and sustainable development", "drug trafficking and AIDS control measures", "rights and maintenance of senior citizens and parents", "terrorism and human rights in northeast", "human trafficking for child labor and prostitution" and "domestic violence and gender equality - northeast scenario".

Thursday's seminar was attended by judges of the Gauhati High Court and lower courts, senior police and civil officials, high profile citizens and leading members of civil societies, representatives of NGOs, social organizations and the media.

Justice Sharma also asked the national media to highlight the scope, prospect, achievement, inadequacy and predicament of the people of northeast in a proper manner.

The apex court judge during his interaction with participants also directed the officials concerned to ensure circulation of all basic laws in local languages and launch campaigns to enlighten the people about social sector laws, including those associated with domestic violence, drugs and child trafficking.

Standard of government schools falling - apex court

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