IMPHAL, September 7: Altogether eight government teachers who were found working in private schools during a surprise check led by Director Education (S) N Praveen Singh conducted today, have been suspended from their post.
In this regard, the department has issued an order later today.
According to N Praveen Singh, the surprise check conducted as per the instruction of Education Minister and Secretary Education (S) was part of the measures taken up by School Education Department to improve ways of teaching in the government schools.
The suspended teachers are identified as Konjenbam Nishikanta Singh (UPT/SSA, Khaidem Upper Primary School); H Ngaihneng Simte (PT/SSA, Khuanggin Primary School); Chongboi Changsan (PT/SSA, Jalenbung Primary School); N Lawrence Meetei (PT/SSA, Haotak Thoubal Leikai Primary School); Huidrom Radhakanta Singh (PT, Sekmaijin Khunou Komlakhong Mamang Primary School); Khomdram Somorendro Singh (PT/SSA, Nungoo Khongyam Primary School); Laitonjam Ratankumar Singh (PT/SSA, Lamding Khumanthem Primary School) and Oinam Kumud Singh (PT/SSA, Moirang Sabal Khunou Primary School).
Konjengbam Nishikanta Singh, H Ngaihneng Simte and Chongboi Changsan were found working at Savio Higher Secondary School, Thangmeiband; N Lawrence Meetei, Huidrom Radhakanta Singh and Khomdram Somorendro Singh at Slopeland Public School; Laitonjam Ratankumar Singh at Padma Ratna English School, Kakching and Oinam Kumud Singh at Herbert School.
Interestingly, during the surprise check at Herbert School, a government contract lecturer (Maths) was also found working in the school. The department has already started initiating steps to cancel contract agreement of the teacher and take up fitting action against him.
As per the order, the eight government teachers have been suspended so that the department could take up disciplinary action against them. They were suspended under Sub-Rule (1) of Rule 10, Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965.
During the suspension period, all the teachers should stay at Headquarter Imphal and they cannot go out of the Headquarter without the permission of the Director.
The Director informed that the surprise check was conducted by two teams of the department with one team led by him and the other team led by Additional Director/Valley Kh Lalmani Singh.
He said that the two teams conducted the surprise check at the schools in Imphal West and Thoubal district at the same time.
The surprise check was conducted based on information received from various sources that some SSA, RMSA and Primary/Graduate teachers under Government of Manipur are working in private schools instead of discharging their duty at their respective posting places. Of the suspended teachers, some were found present at the private schools during the surprise check while some were found absent. However, their engagement in the private schools was confirmed after their names were found in the time table, relevant documents including salary withdrawal and attendance register of the schools, the Director narrated.
Asked whether action will be taken up against the private schools where the suspended teachers were found working, he replied that since the private schools had employed the teachers, appropriate action will also be taken up against the schools according to the law.
The Director further declared that necessary action will also be taken up against the concerned headmaster and AI/DI/ZEO who issued Duty Certificate to the suspended teachers for withdrawal of salary without working at their respective posting places.
Asserting that such steps will help in improving quality education in the government schools to some extent, he appealed to the people to inform him through the email `“ praveennaorem01@yahoo.com if they come across government teachers working in private schools.
The Director also appealed to the public to extend support to the department to ensure that government teachers strictly follow the laid out guidelines.