SC asks teachers not to run after higher salaries

New Delhi, Sep 24 (UNI) The Supreme Court has asked the teachers not to run after higher salaries especially in case of private unaided educational institutions as additional burden invariably passed on to the students may put the education beyond their reach.

A bench comprising Justices H K Sema and P K Balasubramanyan appealed to the teachers to ask themselves whether they would like to be the cause for putting education beyond the ken of children of parents of average families with average incomes.

The court vide its judgment dated Sept. 22 dismissed the appeals of three teachers namely Sushmita Basu and others seeking directions to the respondent Ballygunge Siksha Samity and others to implement the recommendations of third pay commission wef Jan.1,1988.

The court in its judgment observed,"A teacher's profession calls for a little sacrifice in the interest of the nation.A teacher fulfils a great role in the life of the nation. He is Guru. It is the teacher who moulds its future citizens by imparting to his students not only knowledge but also a sense of duty,righteousness and dedication to the welfare of the nation, in addition to other qualities of head and heart. If teachers clamour for more salaries and perquisites the normal consequence in case of private educational institutions, if the demand is conceded, would be passed on the burden to the students by increasing the fee payable by the students." The petitioners were demanding retropective implementation of the recommendations on the grounds that government school teachers have been given hike with retrospective effect and the principle of "equal pay for equal work" was applicable in the case.

The apex court upheld the judgment of Kolkata high court dismissing their appeals.

Originally 26 others along with the petitioners had filed a writ petition in the high court. However later only five were left.

Remaining withdrew their petitions following settlement with the management. Out of five one died and one withdrew only three were left finally.

The court also ruled that writ against private institution lay only when violation of some public law was involved.

The court also ruled that teaching was a noble profession.

UNI AKS/SC RP RN1047