LUCKNOW: The education tribunal, conceptualised by the Samajwadi Party government, which got stuck in red-tape, is likely to become a reality soon as Uttar Pradesh deputy chief minister Dinesh Sharma, who also holds the education portfolio, is set to convene a meeting of officials of primary, basic and higher education on Monday.
The tribunal would serve more as an ombudsman and address the issues of over a lakh employees of the education sector, especially those working in schools run by the basic education board, government-aided secondary institutions and colleges.
While the previous draft focused only on basic and secondary schools, the new one under the present dispensation’s consideration, encompasses higher education as well.
According to senior officials, so far, teachers and employees of aided and government-run schools used to approach courts for minor issues since there was no such body to redress their grievances.
Approximately 21,000 cases related to UP basic and secondary education department are pending in courts.
A senior official, on the need of the tribunal, said most education officials get stuck in courts representing the government in various litigations and as a result their work is hampered.
Even teachers had to petition the courts for every single issue, he added.
The aided schools, both under UP’s basic and secondary education board, are managed by private parties who provide the land though the salary of the staff and maintenance costs of the campus are borne by the State government.
The same applies to government-aided colleges.
Official sources said both basic and secondary education departments will make their presentations before the deputy chief minister on Monday after which the draft will be finalised and will be sent to the State Cabinet for approval.