The Madras High Court on Monday wanted to know from the State government as to whether it would be willing to invite former School Education Secretary T. Udhayachandran, now posted as Commissioner of Archaeology, as a special invitee to the meetings of a 13-member high-level committee constituted during his tenure last year to enhance the standard of school education in the State on a par with the schools affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).
Justice N. Kirubakaran told Special Government Pleader C. Munusamy that the government could utilise the services of the IAS officer, who had done extensive work on the issue, by including him as a special invitee in the high-level committee meetings. He directed the SGP to get instructions from the school education department by the end of the month. The judge also commended the revamped syllabus for State board students and said it was a job well done.
“I went through some of the textbooks. The content is very good. Actually it is better than the CBSE syllabus. All those who were part of the curriculum framework committee and the teachers who prepared the new curriculum should be complemented for their work,” the judge said. Agreeing with the petitioner’s counsel M. Radhakrishnan that the good work should continue, the judge said the government could consider engaging Mr. Udhayachandran in the process.
‘Panel’s work over’
Passing interim orders on a writ petition filed by the father of a Class X student, the judge had in September last directed the government to allow the IAS officer to continue in the high-level committee though he had been transferred from the post of School Education Secretary. However, on Monday, the SGP told the court that the work of the high-level committee as well as curriculum framework committee had been completed, and therefore, the officer need not be engaged any more.
Countering the submission, the petitioner’s counsel said much more had to be done, and therefore, the officer must be allowed to attend meetings. The SGP was not receptive to the plea and said the high-level committee was basically meant for sanctioning funds for projects, and therefore, only the incumbent School Education Secretary could be part of it as an ex-officio member. Nevertheless, he later agreed to obtain instructions on the suggestion made by the court.
