No poll work for teachers on school days: SC

8220;Sixty years of Independence has not brought about the desired result of imparting compulsory education to all children. Education is one of most important functions of the state,8221; the court said. Emphasising the point, the apex court said that in a democratic set up, 8220;right to education is indispensable in the interpretation of right to development as a human right.8221;With regard to non-teaching staff, the court ruled that they may be put on such duties on any day or at any time, if permissible in law.

The SC passed the ruling while dismissing the appeal filed by the EC challenging the August 11, 2004 order of the Delhi High Court which had ruled that services of government teachers cannot be utilised for non-academic work during school hours. The HC had passed the ruling on a PIL filed by the management of St Mary8217;s School and others questioning the utilisation of teachers of government schools for non-academic duties on account of which students were suffering.