Employment Conditions of Private School Teachers in Tamil Nadu – Legal Regime and Judiciary’s Approach

Abstract

About 50% of students study in private schools but private school teachers’ has been subject to exploitation for a long time. The difference in terms of contractual employment of teachers in government and private schools are explained using a review of the available literature. Improper dismissal, unfair contract terms, inadequate and irregular payment of salaries are identified as the major problems faced by private school teachers. This article analyses the lacunae in current state laws regulating private schools in Tamil Nadu. The terms of employment of teachers in government and private schools are compared using secondary data derived from reliable sources. Teachers are forced to strike and engage in public agitations to assert their rights as otherwise they are burdened by long litigations in courts. Judiciary’s approach towards private educational institutions is traced through various decisions of the Supreme Court and high courts. The amenability of private schools to writ jurisdiction is also analysed. Some recommendations are made to improve the labour conditions and grievance redressal of private schools teacher in Tamil Nadu