The Madras High Court has declined to grant an interim injunction restraining the authorities from introducing the common curriculum for Standards I and VI as per the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Uniform System of School Education (TNUSSE) Act. In his order on a batch of petitions, Justice K.Venkataraman said the contentions raised by the petitioners required to be met by the authorities by filing counter. The case has been posted for February 24.
Aggrieved by the TNUSSE Act, the petitioners sought to declare the legislation as irrational and unconstitutional. They said the Act imposed unreasonable restrictions on the administration and management of private unaided institutions. By introducing the uniform system of education, the impugned legislation along with the legislation to control the fee structure in private educational institutions, the State was attempting to encroach into their freedom. This was impermissible.
Additional Advocate-General P.Wilson submitted that as per the education policy of the State government, a uniform syllabus is sought to be introduced in Anglo-Indian, Oriental, Matriculation and State board schools. Quality education was sought to be achieved by that policy.
Mr.Justice Venkataraman said even as per the Act, the schools in the State should follow the common syllabus and textbooks as may be specified for each subject in Standards I and VI commencing from the academic year 2010-2011. Hence, there may not be any urgency in granting an interim order which could wait till the respondent filed a counter.
Special Government Pleader Sankaran submitted that the counter would be filed on February 24.
