SIR M VENKATA SUBBA RAO MATRICULATION HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOL STAFF ASSOCIATION Vs. SIR M VENKATA SUBBA RAO MATRICULATION HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOL

JUDGEMENT

(1.) AN interesting question, as to the dress code imposed by the management of a school on the teachers, arises for our consideration in this writ appeal. As the dress code imposed by the management of the school on the teachers is claimed for maintenance of discipline, we would like to add a few words regarding the education and the role of teachers, in our order, before dealing with the above question.

(2.) A glance at the history of education is interesting. It may be recalled that till the middle ages, education and religion were closely linked. Priests assumed the role of teachers and generally educational institutions were attached to places of worship. Later, education became a community work. Thereafter, students were imparted education in gurukulams. In gurukulams, basically morals were taught to the students. The students were expected to serve the guru in his day-to-day affairs and in that process, were taught the discipline. Later, realising the importance of education, persons interested and dedicated, started educational institutions. These educational institutions were known as private educational institutions. Realising the importance of education, the Government also started schools.

(3.) WITH the above background, let us now consider the issue raised in this appeal. The appellant is the Staff Association of Sir M.Venkata Subba Rao Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Chennai and is represented by its Secretary by name Asraf Ali. We are referring to the name of the Secretary for the purpose that it was argued before us by the management that on the date when the writ petition was filed, he was not a teacher of the school and consequently he would not have locus standi to file the writ petition in the capacity of Secretary of the Association.