CHENNAI: Criticising the Director of Teacher Education Research and Training for the unexplained delay in approving a list of admitted candidates, the Madras High Court has directed the Chief Secretary and the Education Secretary to "check malpractices under their control."

Justice M.E.N. Patrudu gave the direction while passing orders on a writ petition filed by Good Samaritan Teacher Training Institute in Pudukottai district.

The petitioner-institute, duly recognised by the Southern Regional Committee of the National Council for Teacher Education with an intake of 50 students, admitted 35 students under its management quota for academic year 2005-06. In October 2005, it sent the list of students to the Principal of the District Institute of Education and Training (DIET) at Pudukottai for approval.

After scrutinising relevant certificates, the Principal favoured approval of the list and forwarded his recommendation to the Director of the Teacher Education Research and Training in November 2005.

R. Sureshkumar, counsel for the institute, said despite the fact that the students had undergone the course and were required to undergo practical training (commission work), the list was yet to be approved.

Justice Patrudu, wondering as to why the Director should "sit over the matter," despite a recommendation by the Principal, said academic interests of the institution and the future of the students had been affected by the "delaying tactics" of the Director. He then directed the official to approve the list within 30 days.

"Sincere request"

The Judge said though the court was inclined to award an exemplary cost in the matter with a further direction that the amount be recovered from the personal account of the Director, it was not imposing the cost in the wake of the "sincere request" made by counsel for the institute. "However, a copy of this order is marked to the Chief Secretary and the Secretary of Education so that the senior officers will check the malpractices under their control," the Judge said.

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