The School Education Secretary, D.Sabitha, on Wednesday appeared before the Madras High Court and tendered an unqualified apology in a matter relating to the filling of lecturer vacancies by the visually challenged.

She also filed an affidavit explaining the vacancy position and gave an assurance that all vacancies would be filled in the next recruitment drive, especially for persons with visual impairment.

Originally, the Tamil Nadu Teachers Association of the Visually Challenged, represented by its president N.K.Chokalingam filed a writ petition seeking to declare as illegal a clause in a prospectus issued by the Teachers Recruitment Board for recruitment of Lecturers in the Directorate of Teachers Education, Research and Training and the District Institute of Teachers Training. The provision violated the Persons with Disability Act. The association prayed the court to direct the authorities to reserve one per cent of the total vacancies of lecturers for the visually impaired.

The High Court had earlier condemned “an improper and insensitive” affidavit filed by the Secretary and said the official should be present in the court on Wednesday.

Complying with the court order, Ms.Sabitha appeared before the First Bench comprising Chief Justice S.K.Kaul and Justice M.M.Sundresh and filed a detailed affidavit.

Petitioner’s counsel said that no further directions were required. The Bench said it was treating the proceedings as closed.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/education-...