Pune: New anti-graft GR irks private schools

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Under the GR, the state has entrusted the Directorate of Education with taking action against teaching or non-teaching staff of unaided schools, if there is evidence of misconduct as per the Prevention of Corruption Rules, 1988. In the past, the department was empowered to take action only against the teaching and non-teaching staff of a government or aided school, while private unaided schools were exempted.

Rajendra Singh, President of Federation of Private Unaided Schools Association of Maharashtra, said similar GRs were issued earlier too, which were frivolous in nature. “We will not follow any GR that is issued not conforming to the existing laws of the land. Under no Act or law is the government empowered to take action against a private school staffer and if the GR does not have any legal backing, we don’t think schools will adhere to it. And, as far as graft goes, private schools are very alert and concerned and need no external prodding.”

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Protested the change, principal of a leading SSC school in the city accused the state of overstepping their powers. “We don’t understand the logic. When the state gives no money whatsoever to unaided schools, then who gives them authority over our staff? School managements should be allowed to discipline their staff in a way that they see fit. As far as the government goes, let them look into the complaints against their own staff, who have maximum cases,” he said.

School trustees are also worried that the move might backfire and can be misused by those who have a grudge against a staffer. “Recently, one such case was reported in Osmanabad, where a parent had not paid fees for two students for nearly seven years. When he was asked for it, he went to the anti-corruption bureau and said school authorities were demanding Rs 40,000 as bribe to give a transfer certificate. If there is a rightful implementation of the anti-corruption act, then we have no complaints but if schools are harassed, we will protest,” said Sanjayrao Tayade Patil, Founder President of Maharashtra English School Trustees Association (MESTA).