Tamil Nadu

Order rejecting teacher’s plea for service extension set aside

CHENNAI: Setting aside an order of the Director of School Education (DSE) turning down the request of a national awardee teacher for extension of service for five years, the Madras High Court has directed the DSE to pass fresh orders on the request considering the fact that a government order issued 32 years ago is still in force.

Justice N. Paul Vasanthakumar directed the petitioner to enclose a copy of the GO and a certificate of fitness along with a copy of the court order to the DSE within a week. The Director should issue orders in two weeks thereafter.

P. Velusamy, Headmaster, Holy Redeemers Higher Secondary School, Thisaiyanvilai, Tirunelveli district, submitted that he was awarded the Best Teacher Award at the national level for academic year 2004-05. As per a G.O. of 1976, the Tamil Nadu government accepted the Centre’s suggestion and directed that the age of retirement of national awardee teachers of the State Government be extended by five years, subject to the condition that they were physically and mentally fit. The Centre clarified in 1981 that extension of service to national awardees up to 60 years of age may be given to outstanding teachers, who were mentally and physically fit. If the State Education Department wanted to provide for extension beyond 60 years, it could do so.

Petitioner’s counsel submitted that the Tamil Nadu government had not modified the 1976 order till date.

Mr. Velusamy said he completed 58 years in November last year and was permitted to continue till May 31 this year on re-employment basis. Since no action was taken on his representation seeking extension of service as per the GO, he filed a writ petition seeking a direction to extend his service according to the GO and the Centre’s clarification.

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu