The Allahabad High Court has taken a firm stance against the Uttar Pradesh (UP) government for its failure to appoint teachers in state-run schools, labeling this inaction as a clear breach of Article 21-A of the Indian Constitution. This article guarantees the right to free and compulsory education for children aged six to fourteen.
Justice Prakash Padia emphasized that without appointing Assistant Teachers and Headmasters in primary schools, the state's obligation under Article 21-A remains unfulfilled. He stated that the government must provide all necessary resources to ensure quality education for children in this age group. A fundamental requirement for this is the appointment of qualified teachers.
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The court's remarks came during the hearing of a petition from a junior high school. The school expressed concern over the lack of appointments for teaching and non-teaching staff, despite having sanctioned positions.
On December 10, 2024, the court noted that the large number of teacher vacancies was compromising the quality of education in the state. By January 31, 2025, it was revealed that, despite the state government's requests, no concrete proposals had been made to address the issue.
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In response, the court directed the Additional Secretary of UP Basic Education to submit a personal affidavit. This affidavit should explain why action shouldn't be taken against officials responsible for violating Article 21-A. The next hearing is scheduled for March 11.
