VIJAYAWADA: The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Monday came down heavily on the Centre for its stance that teachers in Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs) and other institutions under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) can only be hired on an annual contractual basis and not as permanent staff.
A division bench of Justice Battu Devanand and Justice Avadhanam Hariharanath Sharma has expressed dissatisfaction with the Centre’s affidavit, which described the policy as a ‘matter of government decision.’
The judges observed that such reasoning was unacceptable, questioning: “For whose benefit are these decisions being made? On one hand, the Right to Education Act mandates education for every child, yet on the other hand, denying permanent teaching staff undermines the quality of education. Is this not a display of double standards?”
The bench also reminded the Centre that SSA was launched to ensure quality education for children from disadvantaged sections. “You cannot lose sight of the constitutional mandate. Ultimately, the students will be the ones who suffer if permanent staff are not appointed,” the court stated.
In 2023, several part-time Post Graduate Teachers (PGTs) in KGBVs approached the High Court challenging their abrupt termination. Justice Nimmagadda Venkateswarlu, hearing the petitions, had ruled that their removal was illegal and arbitrary, ordering that their services be continued even after contract expiry.
Centre held accountable for SSA staffing gaps
During hearings, the division bench had earlier directed both the Centre and the State to file affidavits explaining what steps were being taken to recruit permanent staff in SSA institutions.
The judges warned that if concrete steps towards permanent recruitment were not presented by the next hearing, they would order the personal appearance of the Union HRD Secretary.
The matter has been adjourned to Thursday. Senior advocate KS Murthy was appointed as amicus curiae to assist the court.
Additional Solicitor General Challa Dhananjaya, representing the Centre, reiterated that the annual contractual system was a policy decision.
The bench, however, countered sharply: “You contribute 60 per cent of the funds for SSA. Therefore, the responsibility to ensure effective implementation lies with you. If teachers remain on a year-to-year basis, how can quality education be ensured? The state government only follows your directives. Accountability rests with you.”
The High Court further stressed that the Centre must provide a clear account of measures for permanent recruitment, reiterating that the matter was of grave seriousness.