The Supreme Court on Thursday called for an affidavit from all states in the country specifying the number of such teachers working under them on contractual basis, who are Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI) trained and eligible to be appointed. The apex court sought response on the matter related to special teachers being engaged on contract basis without security of tenure.
A bench of Justice CT Ravikumar and Justice Rajesh Bindal has further asked states to disclose information in the affidavits about these teachers service conditions including the pay-scale and consolidated wage being given to them, number of years they have been working on contract basis and the steps, if any, taken to regularise their service imbibing the spirit of the 2021 judgment in the matter.
Furthermore, the affidavits, which are to be filed within 4 weeks from the date of the order March 12, are also required to mention the number of sanctioned posts, and if the sanctioned posts are lesser in number, then the measures taken to sanction further posts to ensure appointment of such teachers on regular basis.
The development is preceded by a judgment of the Supreme Court, pronounced on October 28, 2021, whereby certain directions were issued and compliance reports called. These also included directions to the Central government to forthwith notify the norms and standards of pupil-teacher ratio for special schools and also separate norms for special teachers who alone can impart education and training to CwSN (Children with Special Needs) in the general schools.
Additionally, the apex court also ordered the Centre to create commensurate permanent posts as per the just ratio to be specified by competent authority. It further asked the central government to initiate an appointment process to fill vacancies for rehabilitation professionals and special teachers, appointing them on a regular basis.