Irregularities, bias against women & misconduct by admin: Teachers

Raipur: The ongoing rationalisation row process in Surajpur district has sparked widespread outrage, with teachers alleging substantial irregularities, ‘dictatorial' conduct by officials, gender discrimination and lack of transparency. The Shikshak Sajha Manch, Surajpur, has submitted a memorandum with supporting documents to the district collector, member of Parliament, and member of Legislative Assembly, demanding a high-level inquiry and action against those responsible.Teachers allege a severe lack of transparency in the process, claiming that rules were disregarded, and teachers were arbitrarily declared surplus. The seniority list was reportedly withheld during counselling, leading to injustice for senior teachers. No provision for claims and objections was made, teachers said. Senior teachers were assigned to remote schools because the seniority list was not displayed during counselling, they added.Concerns have also been raised about the rushed notification for counselling. A list was released on social media on May 31, with counselling scheduled for the morning of June 1. This short notice prevented many teachers from participating, they alleged.Allegations of discrimination against women teachers have also surfaced. It is claimed that 37 women teachers were denied appointment for nine vacant posts, which were subsequently given to male teachers. Arbitrary postings were made even in the absence of vacant positions. In several schools, new lecturers of the same subject were forcibly posted where a lecturer was already present, creating a surplus situation again. Nearby vacant posts were allegedly concealed, forcing women teachers to be posted in remote rural areas despite closer options being available. The education department's promise of a second opportunity for absent teachers on 3 June was reportedly broken. Teachers who arrived on that day said they were reprimanded and turned away by the district education officer (DEO). Injustice was also allegedly meted out to cluster coordinators and teachers nearing retirement. Cluster coordinators were declared surplus, despite their counterparts in Surguja district being exempt. Teachers due to retire within six months were not granted any relief either, they claimed.Teachers have also raised serious allegations regarding the conduct of the DEO, accusing her of being rude and undignified towards teachers and staff. Incidents of alleged misconduct are frequently discussed. It is claimed that the DEO's ‘dictatorial' approach was evident when an order was issued on the evening of 6 June, backdated to 4 June. However, by the afternoon of 6 June, information regarding release from duties by 7 June was sought from all blocks, with a 4 pm deadline, causing panic among teachers. The situation worsened as the following two days were holidays, leaving teachers, who were given only three days, confused about joining their new posts. Those present during the submission of the memorandum included Sachin Tripathi, Yaduvendra Dubey, Bhupesh Singh, and others.