S. Sabaqat
SRINAGAR, Oct 25: J&K High Court today voiced its anguish regarding the working of Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education regarding Elementary Teachers' Training (ETT) course in the state.
"We express our anguish with regard to the working of the officials of the Board of School Education and those who are running the (ETT) institution," a Division Bench of the High Court comprising Chief Justice MM Kumar and Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey said.
"After 10+2, young students are allowed to take admission in ETT colleges which may turn out to be eventually a nightmare for them," the court said, asking all concerned to show "sensitivity to the issue."
Hearing a Public Interest Litigation, the Bench said that it would expect the State Government to deal with the defaulters by taking strict action.
"The education is one of the basic rights given by the Constitution and the State is under obligation to translate the same to our future generations by ensuring that it percolates to those who are entitled to," the court said.
Following the assurance that action under law will be taken against those who are found guilty, the court expressed hope that further action would follow. "Action Taken Report be filed within four weeks," the court said, listing the case for further hearing on November 28.
The court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation filed by Parents Coordination Committee. The case is being investigated by Crime, Kashmir which has found irregularities in the imparting of the course.
An enquiry conducted by Joint Secretary of BOSE has revealed mass irregularities, sexual exploitation and charging of whopping amounts of Rs 45,000-80,000 without any regular classes for ETT candidate.
The enquiry has revealed that there are no hostel facilities provided to the candidates.
The Crime Inquiry has also revealed that the institutions who intended to run the course were required to apply to the Education Department for obtaining 'No Objection Certificate' (NOC) and it is to be renewed annually.
In the Action Taken Report by Secretary BOSE, it has been concluded that out of 211 ETT institutions, only 51 had applied for renewal of NOC for the current session 2013-15. For them joint inspection teams have been constituted and inspection reports are expected by the end of October, 2013. Action as recommended by the Inspection Team would then be taken against each ETT institution, the Secretary said. The rest of 160 ETT institutions who have not even applied could not be considered for renewal of their NOCs and they would not be permitted to run the academic session 2013-15, the Secretary said further. |
