LG refuses to discuss guest teachers’ issue: Sisodia

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 15

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia today hit out at Lt Governor Anil Baijal alleging that he refused to have a discussion on the issue of considering experience of guest teachers in recruitment.

In response, Baijal said relaxation in age has already been granted to guest teachers in direct recruitment and granting of weight in marks to a certain category of candidates will be in violation of the Constitution.

“Deeply disturbed by meeting with @LtGovDelhi today. Despite directions of Hon’ble HC, @LtGovDelhi is not willing to enter into dialogue on issue of Guest Teachers. Why cant experience be considered? (sic)” tweeted Sisodia, who also holds the education portfolio in the government.

Sisodia was backed on the issue by CM Arvind Kejriwal who in turn claimed that the LG’s position on the issue was not “correct”.

In a letter to Baijal, Sisodia following a meeting in view of the HC order today expressed his disappointment claiming the LG declined to have any discussion on the guest teachers’ issue without giving any reason.

“The HC in its last hearing on a matter related to teachers’ recruitment had directed that you and I should put our heads together to resolve the guest teacher issue. But when I came to meet you today, I was deeply disturbed to find that you were not willing to even discuss the issue. I had brought with me all the case law, but you were not willing to even look at it,” Sisodia wrote to the LG.

The Deputy CM said he is not asking to regularise unqualified teachers while pointing out that if there is a choice between two equally qualified teachers, and one has experience of teaching in Delhi government schools while one doesn’t. “Does it not make sense to choose the teacher who has experience,” Sisodia asked.

However, the LG office refuted all allegations and issued a statement saying, “Deputy CM was informed that the matter has been examined in detail and after an elaborate legal consultation, it was the considered view that granting of weight in marks to a category of candidates is violation of rights under Article 14 and 16 of the Constitution”.

Deeply disturbed by meeting with @LtGovDelhi today. Despite directions of Hon’ble HC, @LtGovDelhi is not willing to enter into dialogue on issue of Guest Teachers. Why cant experience be considered. —Tweets Manish Sisodia

After an elaborate legal consultation, it was a considered view that granting of weightage in marks to a category of candidates is violation of of the constitutional rights under Article 14 and 16 of the Constitution. —A statement from LG office