10,000 cases pending against School Edu Dept, high-level committee to monitor

The committee, led by Commissioner of School Education, will meet at regular intervals to review the cases and send reports to the government. A senior School Education Department official told DT Next that the committee will also consist three other members such as the consultant (legal matters), special government pleader, Education, High Court of Madras and law officer from the Directorate of School Education. “It was found that thousands of cases in various courts including in SC were pending for many years,” he added.

The official pointed out that of the total, more than 60% cases are related to teachers verses the State Government with regard to pay issues, promotion anomalies, transfers and recruitment. Giving an approximate breakup, the official said about 20% are cases pending 0 to one year, 25% for 1 to 3 years, about 30% for 3 to 5 years and balance cases ranging from 5 years to 20 years. “We have a few cases pending for more than 20 years,” he said.

Stating that the government is also planning to deal with certain cases as out of court settlement, the official said in the future, a transparent mechanism will be put in place to ensure people are heard and their issues are settled amicably much before they decide to go to court.

Welcoming the government move, Tamil Nadu Teachers Association President P K Ilamaran said if promotions are done in time-bound manner, if departmental promotion committees are organised on a regular basis and a proper transfer policy implemented, people will not move the court.