Rajasthan: Education Officials Accused of Scapegoating Subordinates; Protest Over Permanent Appointment & Arrears Payment

Banswara- In the tribal region of Banswara district, Rajasthan, a contentious situation has arisen within the education department. Following a review of documents for employees appointed over the past five years, the SOG team registered FIRs against fake candidates and arrested some teachers, resulting in their incarceration. This has escalated confusion regarding permanent appointment orders and salary regulation.

There are many teachers who have completed their probation period but are facing delays in receiving permanent appointment orders and payment of pending arrears. Despite completing the necessary documentation and verification process, the education department has not finalized their regularization. This has led to growing frustration among teachers, who are now rallying in protest, demanding swift action from the authorities to address these concerns.

Recently, an investigation was conducted across various blocks and subdivisions in Banswara district to check the documents of employees appointed in the last five years. However, the report has been shelved, and no list of suspicious candidates has been made public.

Original Service Records Sent Back to Schools

Following the review, original service records were sent back to schools, but no list of dubious candidates was released. The District Education Officer (Secondary) issued instructions to his subordinates to present certificates confirming that all documents for the appointed teachers had been checked and found accurate.

One principal, speaking on condition of anonymity, noted that in Rajasthan, appointments were made based on lists of successful candidates from the RPSC exam sent to the Education Department. The District Education Officer had previously formed teams to thoroughly check the documents before the teachers were appointed. Schools only acted on the orders of their higher authorities.

Controversy Over New Orders Issued by DEO

A new order issued by the District Education Officer, directing the regulation of salaries for teachers who have completed their probation period, has sparked controversy.

Principals argue that previously, permanent appointment orders were issued first, followed by salary regulation. Issuing salary regulation orders directly without permanent appointment orders seems to be an attempt by higher officials to avoid responsibility.

The Rajasthan Teacher Union Siyaram has submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister and Education Minister, demanding permanent appointments and payment of pending arrears. Siyaram Sharma, the state's administrative president of the organization, stated that third-grade teachers appointed in 2021 and May 2022 have completed their probation period in May 2024. Despite completing the process for permanent appointment and submitting documents online and offline, their permanent status remains pending, and salary regulation issues persist.

Senior leader of Teacher Union Siyaram, Badan Lal Damor, has called for the issuance of permanent appointment orders and payment of arrears for these teachers.

Principals are caught in a dilemma as the education department and district administration are not issuing permanent appointment orders or making public the review report of the past five years' appointments. Instead, they are issuing salary regulation orders, leaving the responsibility on subordinates and increasing discontent among teachers.