Shivangi Prakash –
Published on: August 30, 2021, at 12:03 IST
The Madhya Pradesh High Court, concerned about the sharp drop in the caliber of education in government primary schools, stated last week that pay, allowances, and perquisites associated with the position of a primary teacher in the government sector should be appealing.
“In fact, a primary teacher should be one of the highest-paid employees under the government so that the most meritorious available in the society is attracted and the best out of them have sterling qualities are ultimately picked up to be appointed as teachers,” the Bench of Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Deepak Kumar Agarwal observed further.
The Court made this observation when dismissing the petition of D.El.Ed. program (Teacher Training Programme) students who, after failing more than one theory subject in the second year, wanted a second chance to take the exam.
The Court noted at the outset that in ancient times, teachers were a revered class of honoured citizens who were treated with great respect and admiration by all since they were responsible for instilling morality, competence, discipline, and merit, particularly in basic schools.
In light of this, the Court stated that it was aware of the rapidly declining standards of primary education, particularly in the government sector, and that the D.El.Ed Teacher Training Program prescribes very low passing marks, allowing people with average or below-average academic qualifications and competence to become teachers.
“It is common knowledge that a non-meritorious and an ill-equipped teacher would be an obstacle for the betterment of standards of Primary Education in Government Sector. Less meritorious and incompetent teachers would breed incompetent students,” observed the Court.
The Court further stated that the State Government, namely the State of Madhya Pradesh, has set very low minimum criteria in Teacher Training Programs, resulting in an influx of average and below-average people becoming instructors in Government Primary Schools.
As a result, the Court made an “Earnest Request” to the government and its functionaries, including lawmakers, to include exceptionally high standards of minimum qualification and merit as requisites eligibility criteria for a person seeking admission to any Teacher Training Program through statutory or other provisions.
“This Court hopes and prays that if effort is made by the State and its functionaries and law-making bodies in this direction, the rapidly falling standards of education in Primary Schools in Government Sector can not only be halted but reversed,” the Court further noted.
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Also Read: What is the Right to Education Act? What is the National Education Policy 2020?