Bombay High Court: Sudhagad Education Society Must Use Pavitra Portal for Teacher Hiring

In a recent decision, the Bombay High Court has made it clear that schools must use the Pavitra Portal for hiring teachers. This decision comes after the Sudhagad Education Society tried to hire teachers on their own, bypassing the official process. Let's break down what happened.

Who's Who in the Case?

The case involved the Sudhagad Education Society and three of its schools. They went up against the State of Maharashtra, represented by the head of the Department of School Education.

Why the Fuss?

The Sudhagad Education Society hired teachers as Shikshan Sevaks without using the Pavitra Portal, a system set up to ensure fair hiring practices. The society claimed the portal wasn't working and that they didn't have a login ID. However, the court found these claims to be false.

"The Pavitra Portal was functional and the Login-ID was allocated to the Sudhagad Education Society."

The Court's Findings

• Portal Was Active: The court found that the Pavitra Portal was indeed working and that the society had a login ID.

• Misleading Claims: The society misled the court by claiming the portal was not working and they didn't have access.

• Faulty Advertisements: The advertisements for hiring were not published in widely circulated newspapers, which is against the rules.

What Did the Court Decide?

The court, led by Judges Ravindra V. Ghuge and Ashwin D. Bhobe, rejected the petitions from the Sudhagad Education Society. They emphasized the need for using the Pavitra Portal to ensure fair hiring practices.

• Strict Directions: The court directed the formation of a group to inspect and report on schools not following the rules.

• Future Compliance: The court ordered the state to ensure all schools use the Pavitra Portal and follow a new set of rules to be established by March 2026.

Why Is This Important?

This ruling is significant because it reinforces the use of the Pavitra Portal, ensuring transparency and fairness in hiring teachers. It also sets an example for other schools to follow the rules strictly or face consequences.

In summary, the court's decision is a win for fair recruitment processes, ensuring that all schools play by the same rules to hire qualified teachers.