The path-breaking norms for recruitment of teaching and non-teaching staff in aided higher secondary schools, notified by the Directorate of Higher Secondary Education on Friday, appear all set to hit a political roadblock.
Education Minister P.K. Abdu Rabb told The Hindu over the phone on Saturday that the Higher Secondary Director had not consulted him about the new norms. The Higher Education Secretary also was in the dark about it, he said.
Mr. Rabb, speaking from his hometown, said he would look into the matter on his return to the State capital on Monday. “We already have detailed rules and regulations for recruitment of teachers. I will hold detailed discussions and take a decision after the Higher Education Secretary, away in Chennai, returns to the State,” the Education Minister said.
The Directorate of Higher Secondary Education’s circular has also drawn flak from Nair Service Society (NSS) general secretary G. Sukumaran Nair. Talking to reporters on Saturday, Mr. Nair said the circular issued by the directorate would destroy the aided education sector. The directorate had issued the circular to make the recruitment process transparent and rid it of its flaws that had resulted in several complaints and court cases.
According to the circular, aided schools can recruit teaching and non-teaching staff to fill only posts notified by the regional deputy directors. A three-member panel comprising the school manager concerned or his/her nominee, the school principal and a government nominee should interview the candidates with the required qualifications and the entire recruitment process should be well-publicised.
This is for the first time that the government has come out with clear norms for recruitment in the aided higher secondary educational institutions.
There have been allegations of serious irregularities and rampant corruption in the teacher and non-teacher appointments in such schools and the State has been witnessing sporadic agitations by teachers in the higher and higher secondary levels alleging that they had not been paid adequately.
Published - July 21, 2013 11:22 am IST
