BREAKING NEWS: ਵੋਕੇਸ਼ਨਲ ਮਾਸਟਰਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਨਹੀਂ ਮਿਲੇਗਾ ਲੈਕਚਰਾਰ ਅਹੁਦੇ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ, ਪ੍ਰਿੰਸੀਪਲ ਵਜੋਂ ਨਹੀਂ ਹੋਣਗੇ ਪ੍ਰਮੋਟ
*SAS Nagar, Punjab – September 27 2024: ( Jobsoftofay) The Directorate of School Education (Secondary) Punjab, Vocational Branch, has issued a speaking order on September 24, 2024, dismissing the petitioners' plea to change their nomenclature from Vocational Master to Vocational Lecturer. The case was initiated by Sukhjinder Singh and others through CWP No. 26295 of 2022, seeking a change in designation after completing the necessary qualifications and being recruited as Vocational Masters.
### Background:
The petitioners argued that the post of Vocational Master and Vocational Lecturer had become equivalent after a 1995 notification. According to the petition, those recruited as Vocational Masters before 1995 had received pay scales equivalent to Vocational Lecturers. However, despite being eligible, the petitioners claimed that they were not considered for promotion to the post of Principal, as the seniority list prepared for this promotion combined Vocational Masters and Lecturers, excluding the petitioners.
### Legal Proceedings:
The case was heard on February 22, 2024, where the High Court had passed an interim order, stating that the state would review the petitioners’ case. The petitioners' primary request was to amend the seniority list and designate them as Vocational Lecturers, which they argued would make them eligible for promotion to the post of Principal.
The petitioners referred to various High Court judgments, including the decisions in CWP No. 7527 of 1995 and CWP No. 10928 of 2003. In these cases, Vocational Masters recruited before July 1995 were granted pay parity with Vocational Lecturers, irrespective of their educational qualifications.
### Court Ruling:
After reviewing all arguments, the High Court, in its final speaking order, rejected the petitioners' claims, stating that their recruitment was specifically for the post of Vocational Master. The court highlighted that simply acquiring higher qualifications does not entitle the petitioners to a change in their designation. The judgment emphasized that the advertisement dated September 23, 2009, was for Vocational Masters, and the petitioners were appointed based on this.
Furthermore, the petitioners were informed that the rules under the Punjab Educational Service (Vocational) Group ‘B’ Services Rules, 2018, do not provide any scope for promotion from Vocational Master to PRINCIPAL. Therefore, the court concluded that the claim for promotion to Principal was not sustainable under current regulations and dismissed the petition.
