Poor work culture reflected in research institutions of education department
Srinagar: In what could reflect the poor work culture in the research institutes of education department in valley, the teaching faculty deputed in these institutes rarely attend to their duties.
In a fresh instance, nine teaching faculty members of State Institute of Education (SIE) Kashmir and District Institute of Education and Training (DIET) Srinagar were found absent from their duties during official hours.
The teaching faculty found absent during the surprise visit of Director School Education Kashmir (DSEK) on Saturday was not even put under suspension. But the salary of these erring employees has been withheld by the government.
“During a surprise visit to SIE Kashmir and DIET Srinagar on February 02, at 10.45 am, it was found that most of the staff posted in these institutions has not reported for their duty. It is accordingly ordered that the salary of the absentees shall be withheld till further orders,” reads an order issued by DSEK.
Further, joint director elementary education in DSEK has been authorized to conduct an inquiry and submit the report to the department. “So that further disciplinary action is taken against them accordingly,” the order reads.
Pertinently, the research institutes are meant to take forward academic research and other academic related activities in the department but these institutes have been made resting places for the influential lot of teachers, masters and lecturers working in the school education department.
Most of the teachers deputed in these institutes have mature stay of more than six to seven years which is in violation of norms.
“The tenure of posting in these institutes is only two years but the department doesn’t shift these influential teachers to please their mentors in higher echelons,” an official said.
Every year the department orders reshuffle of teachers, masters and lecturers but the influential lot is excluded in the reshuffle.
Also, the order to withhold salary of the absent teaching staff has been questioned and termed as impartial as the department has avoided suspension of the staff which is a routine practice in case of other staffers.
“Had it happened in any rural schools then whole staff along with headmaster would have been put under suspension. There are different yardsticks for employees in the department,” an official said.
Director School Education Kashmir (DSEK) G N Itoo said the department has decided to withhold salary of staff before conducting any inquiry. “Further action will follow once the inquiry report will be submitted by the joint director,” he said.
KV Correspondent
