Madurai: In the wake of a Madurai High Court bench sentencing a Chief Educational Officer (CEO) to jail and imposing a fine in a defamation case, education authorities have been directed to swiftly resolve similar cases at the state level.

Currently, over 8,000 cases related to appointments, promotions, salary fixation, incentives, and financial benefits in government-aided and minority schools remain unresolved. Many of these issues, which should ideally be settled by officials, have been delayed, forcing them into litigation. Failure to comply with court directives has further led to defamation cases against officials.

The recent imprisonment of a Principal Education Officer has sent shockwaves through the administration. In response, legal officers in Chennai and Madurai have been instructed to compile a list of defamation cases and assess their status.

A senior official stated that efforts are being intensified to address pending cases concerning appointments, promotions, and financial benefits in aided schools. Incentives for additional educational qualifications were provided until 2020, and district CEOs have been directed to take necessary action in line with government policy.

In Tamil Nadu, the State Administrative Tribunal functioned until 2003 to handle disputes related to teachers and government employees. Since its dissolution, such cases have been directly pursued in courts.

The 2021 DMK election manifesto included a pledge (Promise No. 310) to reinstate the tribunal, but no action has been taken so far. Teachers are now calling for its revival to streamline dispute resolution.