Madras High Court Instructs Special Examination for Students Admitted Under Provisional Affiliation
The Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu Teachers Education University (TNTEU) to conduct a special examination for students who were admitted to educational institutions under provisional affiliation. This decision comes after the court set aside a previous single bench order.
The case was brought before the court by Arulmigu Kalasalingam College of Education from Virudhunagar. The college stated that their application for the continuation of provisional affiliation for the BEd course was not processed, and the recognition granted was later withdrawn. However, during the pendency of the appeal, the college had admitted students, which was disposed of by the appellate authority. The matter was later taken to the National Council for Teachers Education (NCTE), which passed an order for the recognition of the program.
Following the NCTE’s order, the TNTEU also granted affiliation for the program. However, the students who were admitted during the interregnum and before the NCTE order were unable to appear in the semester examinations and undergo School Internship Teaching practice. The college filed a petition before a single bench of the court seeking continuation of affiliation and permission for students to take up internships and appear in the examinations, which was dismissed with a cost of Rs 5 lakh.
The Division Bench of Justices SS Sundar and D Bharatha Chakravarthy observed that the students had completed their regular classes, but the university failed to recognize their valid admission, prohibiting them from appearing in any examinations. Taking into account the withdrawal of recognition being set aside and the remand continuation of recognition being directed by the NCTE, the court found that the students were not at fault and should not suffer the consequences. Therefore, the Madras High Court ordered the TNTEU to conduct a Special Examination for the students who were admitted during the academic year 2021-22, covering all four semesters.
In a show of empathy towards the students, the court required the college to bear the entire cost of these examinations. Additionally, the college was instructed to conduct the exams within three months and declare the results within two months after the examination.
This decision by the Madras High Court aims to address the plight of the affected students and provide them with an opportunity to successfully complete their academic requirements. By directing the TNTEU to conduct a Special Examination, the court ensures that these students, who were caught in a bureaucratic dispute, are not unfairly penalized. The college’s responsibility to cover the examination costs further emphasizes the importance of providing a fair and accessible education system for all students.
