JUDGMENT

S.B. SINHA, J :

1. Leave granted.

2. The State of Maharashtra enacted The Maharashtra Employees of Private Schools (Conditions of Service) Regulation Act, 1977 (for short, the Act) to regulate recruitment and conditions of service of employees in certain private schools. It came into force with effect from 20.03.1978. Private School has been defined in Section 2(20) of the Act to mean:

"Private School", means a recognized school established or administered by a Management other than the Government or a local authority."

3. The terms recognized and school have been defined in Sections 2(21) and 2(24) respectively in the following terms:

"2(21).-"Recognized" means recognized by the Director, the Divisional Board or the State Board, or by any officer authorized by him or by any of such Boards;"

"2(24).- "School", means a primary school, secondary school, higher secondary school, junior college of education or any other institution by whatever name called including technical, vocational or art institution or part of any such school, college or institution, which imparts general, technical, vocational, art or, as the case may be, special education or training in any faculty or discipl