School heads struggle with new verification requirements amid allegations of corruption
Team Clarion
BANSWARA – Following recent directives from the state government, an investigation is underway into the appointments in the education department over the past five years. School heads are encountering difficulties with the new requirements, which mandate verifying whether the individual who took the recruitment exam is the same person currently employed in the role.
Siyaram Sharma, State Administrative President of the Rajasthan Teachers’ Union, explained the process. “In Rajasthan, the recruitment agency conducts an initial investigation and sends all relevant documents to the Education Directorate in Bikaner. After a thorough review, districts are allocated, and documents are rechecked at the district level before schools are assigned.”
Sharma expressed frustration with the current requirements. “Previously, appointees were asked to submit various affidavits to take up their posts. Now, the heads of institutions are required to certify the accuracy of the investigation. This is problematic because, in cases of fraud, the institution heads have not been involved, while the district inspection team, including the District Education Officer, bears responsibility. The same officers have been part of the investigation team in Banswara for the last five years. If we examine the district’s records closely, only one or two officers have changed, making it appear like a coordinated group effort.”
Chief General Secretary Naveen Kumar Sharma added his concerns. “The department’s directive to verify if the exam-taker and the appointee are the same person poses a significant challenge. The heads of institutions lack the means to do it. Additionally, identifying candidates who used proxies or cheated during exams is difficult.”
Due to these challenges, the investigation has been restricted to document verification. “Currently, only the educational documents of the appointees are being reviewed,” said Sharma. “This includes checking application forms, photos, signatures, and other certificates. However, verifying the authenticity of disability or sports certificates is beyond the capacity of the institution heads.”
Institution heads have criticised the process, noting that their documents have already been checked multiple times before their appointment. “It is unreasonable to question the findings of higher officials. The requirement for a certificate of investigation from us seems like a mere formality,” one head commented.
The investigation has also highlighted past issues in Banswara. In 2008, a teacher at Nutan School exposed fake candidates in the D.El.Ed. examination faced harassment. “A high-level investigation is needed to understand why the assistant centre head lodged an FIR when the centre head was officiating. It’s like assigning the cat to guard the milk,” an insider remarked.
Additionally, concerns have been raised about the treatment of the District Education Officer (Primary), who was temporarily removed from his position during a previous cover-up but was later reinstated. “Such actions seem unjustifiable and fuel suspicion,” noted Sharma.
The ongoing investigation underscores the need for a more transparent and effective process to ensure the integrity of appointments and protect honest educators from undue scrutiny and harassment.