Kochi: The High Court instructed that the government should seriously mull over allowing music teacher posts, at least in the primary sections at all the schools in the state. Justice PV Kunjikrishnan pointed out that it was discriminatory to make the number of students and the number of periods a guideline for allowing the posts of music teachers in schools. The Court asked why the students should be denied music lessons just because there is a shortage of children in schools.

Interestingly, in order to explain the significance of music in the lives of children, the iconic lullaby ‘Oman Thinkal Kidavo’ penned by Irayimman Thampi and ‘Unni Vavavo’, written by Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri for the movie ‘Santhwanam’ were mentioned in the judgement. The Court instructed the registry to send a copy of the judgement to the government.

The High Court had issued the order in a petition filed by R Helen who works as a music teacher at Varkala Sreenivasapuram Light to Blind School managed by LMS Corporate Management. Helen was appointed in 1992 as a part-time instrumental teacher. The petitioner will retire on 31 March.

The government had ordered that those who have worked as part-time music teachers for five years are eligible to be promoted to full-time teachers. The High Court noted that the petitioner can avail the benefits of these orders. Besides, the Court instructed to grant the benefits with retrospective effect.