ICSE chief scripts row by authoring 60 textbooks

NEW DELHI: With about 60 textbooks on wide-ranging subjects like environment science, computers, English and moral science to his credit, one wouldn't hesitate calling the Council of the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) chief Francis Fanthome a "prolific" writer. But the Council's executive committee doesn't seem to be too impressed by its CEO's versatility.In fact, the committee members have pointed out that Fanthome had not sought approval for "authoring, editing, presenting, compiling and endorsing" any of these books. With Fanthome virtually questioning the competence of the committee to judge him, the stage seems to be set for a feud in one of the most prestigious academic boards. Apart from the quality control concerns about the books bearing its brand, what also galls the executive committee is that it cannot get a share in the royalty either. In fact, there is no provision of sharing royalty in the Council's rules. Unlike CBSE-affiliated schools which have the option of prescribing highly-subsidised NCERT books, CISCE schools have to source expensive textbooks from the open market. In other words, the books authored by Fanthome command a premium simply because they, unlike the business rivals, appear to be "authorised products". Although Fanthome denies having pressured any school into buying his books, the charge against him is that "by simply giving his official designation, he has been able to push market for his books". Following complaints from HRD ministry's director (school education) Vivek Bharadwaj, this and many other issues concerning Fanthome were taken up by the CISCE executive committee in two meetings last month. While on certain issues, Fanthome was found to be in the right, the committee did find truth in some of the other allegations. The executive committee comprising, chairman Neil O'Brien, members G R Hart, Anil Wilson, S Bolar and T W Phillips, concluded that "certain actions of the CEO and secretary (of CISCE) did not have the agreement or approval of the executive committee". Fanthome is unfazed, and contends that committee's is not the final verdict. He said "the executive committee's observations are being examined by an independent sub-committee". Among other issues, the sub-committee will also investigate the executive committee's observations on Fanthome's textbooks. The executive committee had said it was not even aware of the number of works by the CEO. "No approval has been sought for the use of official designation in any of the books referred to," the committee noted in its report. In response to the allegation, Fanthome pointed out to the committee the long-standing practice in the CISCE of using official designation while authoring books. Though the committee in its report has not verified Fanthome's statement, it has pointed out that the CICSE service rule are clear that "no employee shall, except in the previous permission of the competent authority, engage directly or indirectly in any trade or business or any private tuition or undertake any employment paid or unpaid outside his official assignment".