HC seeks report about school’s closure

Aurangabad, Nov 26:

Aurangabad bench of Bombay High Court comprising Justice S V Gangapurwala and Justice R G Awchat has sought the report about ongoing action on the closure of Swami Vivekanand Academy, Chikalthana.

According to details, Archana Mahajan, who is physically challenged, is an assistant teacher in the school. The school shifted classes after primary on the third floor of the building. She was finding difficulties to teach students on the third floor.

Archana Mahajan filed a petition through adv B L Sagar Killarikar seeking cancellation of shifting classes on the third floor, salary and allowances as per the approved scale, service book. As the HC had approved some teachers salary on the line of other teachers, the school submitted a proposal to the Education Department for the closure. The Education Department rejected it. The school management decided to stop new admissions to Marathi medium classes since 2017 when Mahajan was headmistress.

This resulted in reducing the strength of students. The education society terminated 41 employees, excluding petitioner. Archana filed a petition. When the petition came up for hearing on Thursday, the court has sought report of the action being taken about the proposal of school closure.

The HC court also asked for details about the outstanding salary of Archana Mahajan and other ten teachers. Next hearing has been placed on January 18, 2021.