Madras HC directs DTERT to pass orders on women's admission

 Madras High Court has directed the Director of Teacher Education, Research and Training (DTERT), Chennai, to pass orders within two weeks on a woman’s request to approve her admission for Diploma in Teacher Education course. Justice M Jaichandren passed the order after the government lawyer said the petitioner’s request should be considered under the deserted women category and appropriate orders be passed. Ms S Pushpa of Veppanthattai taluk in Perambalur district said she had the requisite qualification to join the Diploma in Teacher Education (DTEd) course. The petitioner said she was granted admission to the Sri Saradha Teacher Training Institute for Women at Siruvachur in Perambalur in July last year and paid the tuition fees of Rs 20,000 for the academic year 2008-09. Ms Pushpa, who is 32, submitted that she was deserted by her husband and they had subsequently divorced. She possessed a Deserted Woman Certificate and was eligible for admission till the age of 40. When the college sent the list of students for approval to the Principal, District Institute of Education and Training, Ariyalur district and the DTERT, the former found her admission in conformity with the guidelines for admission and recommended it to the latter for approval. The DTERT refused approval on the ground that she was a divorcee and not a destitute woman. The instructions provided that only women deserted by their husbands were eligible for admission. In his order, Justice Jaichandren said in view of the submissions made by petitioner’s counsel, she was being permitted to make a representation to the DTERT.