Why ad hocism is bad for our kids

It always takes a bold step to bring about positive systemic changes in the long run, even if the immediate fallout might be cacophonous.The recent judgment by Justice D Krishnakumar of the Madras high court is one such decision to drive home the message that when it is statutorily intended that the standards of teacher education be increased uniformly across the country, exemptions — whether made by the state government or by judicial intervention — would only amount to misplaced sympathy, which defeats the interests of the students and society at large.The judgment was delivered against the backdrop of writ petitions by teachers who had been appointed prior to the introduction of the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET), and who sought exemption from TET while being granted incentives and increments.While tracing the events since the inception of TET by the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE) notification in August 2010 and its subsequent notifications and amendments, the judgment minced no words in holding teachers responsible for not possessing the minimum qualification of a pass in TET. medium90843449It is now mandatory for teachers who were appointed prior to the Right To Education (RTE) Act, 2009, also to have acquired the eligibility of TET within nine years therefrom, that is by March 31, 2019.The intention of the judgment that will have far-reaching consequences on a large number of school teachers is laudable as a significant step towards streamlining the recruitment of teachers, which must be done in accordance with the standards set by the central apex body — the NCTE. And state governments cannot in any way dilute the standards, though they are free to enhance the standards.Untitled Carousel 67640311If this judgment is to have its desired effect practically, it must also be acknowledged that almost all schools have a sanctioned strength of teaching faculty that is way below the number of teachers required, and this has over the years resulted in the bane of ad hocism.The Supreme Court and high courts across the country have been grappling with litigation at the instance of these ad hoc teachers whose services have been used for decades in some cases, with artificial break in service, and who have been paid a pittance of consolidated pay with no security of employment.These ad hoc teachers are often appointed through irregular channels and most often they do not satisfy the eligibility criteria, particularly passing TET. medium90843462While the latest judgment turns the spotlight on cleansing the system by adhering to the improved statutory standards of teaching, thereby improving the quality of school education by insisting upon TET, it is equally important to do away with the system of ad hocism by pulling up the school managements whenever they resort to ad hoc appointments to save a few thousands of rupees.Such a tendency is penny wise, pound foolish as the unfortunate system of appointment of ad hoc teachers who do not qualify for the minimum eligibility criteria makes these teachers and students losers at once.On the contrary, an increase in the sanctioned strength of teachers by the government and a ban on the appointment of ad hoc teachers would serve every section of society better and would add more meaning to the observations made by the high court.While the judgment may be interpreted by some as translating into the immediate exodus of teachers, we would do well in perceiving it as a mandate for replacing unqualified personnel with those who are qualified, eligible and well-trained, while possessing the right aptitude needed in teachers who are responsible for shaping young minds for a better future.The writer is an advocate at the Madras high court.Untitled Carousel 84034580