Bathinda: The Punjab and Haryana high court has directed the Punjab Education Development Board and the Director General of School Education to decide on staff recruitment under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, at Adarsh School in Chaoke village of Bathinda before the start of the new academic session, preferably within 15 days.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry passed the order, which was released on Thursday, while disposing of a PIL filed by the Save School Committee, headed by Harpal Singh Chaoke. The petition alleged that mandatory norms under the Act were not being followed.
Citing an inquiry report submitted by the additional deputy commissioner on Nov 27, 2025, the court observed that intervention by the board and the Director General of School Education was necessary in the interest of students and the public. It added that if the lapses pointed out were found to be continuing, a compliance report should be filed within four weeks. The committee suggested that the services of the current staff be continued during the 2025-26 academic year so that students do not suffer and the school environment remains stable. However, it said that for the next academic year, the services of all existing staff should be terminated and fresh recruitment carried out according to the norms.
