HC upholds Corpn decision to utilise teachers in COVID work

Dismissing a plea moved by the Tamil Nadu Elementary Teachers’ Association, seeking to restrain the government from involving teachers in COVID-19 works without their consent, a division bench comprising Justice MM Sundresh and Justice R Hemalatha said the teachers are endowed with leadership traits and expecting it to be utilised during situations like a pandemic or disaster is only justifiable.

Pointing out that the teachers appointed either by the government or the civic body are public servants and hence it is not out of place to expect such services from them, the bench remarked that it will grant a stay in the Corporation using their services if they are willing to give up their salary.

The bench also referred to the selfless services being rendered by women police in the fight against the pandemic while dismissing the plea.

The association, represented by Chennai District Secretary A Justin, had sought to restrain the government from engaging teachers above the age of 50 in COVID-related duties such as ‘street warriors’ or tele-counsellors at control rooms, without taking their consent.

It pointed out that the teachers involved are put to high risk of contracting the virus since the health conditions of such teachers are not considered before deputing them to such tasks.

The plea had also sought a direction to ensure social distancing at the workplace and provide requisite PPE kits or to permit the teachers to work from home for tele-counselling services.

However, the State Government had submitted that teachers are not involved in field works but only in coordinating the functions of the volunteers from an office premise.