Fake admissions to create head teacher vacancies in Sangrur schools: DTF
The scandal, which involves the unauthorized enrolment of students in the e-Punjab online portal, is believed to have been orchestrated to manipulate the creation of headteacher vacancies in schools and benefit certain teachers during promotions, the front alleged.
A significant fraud involving fake student admissions in government primary schools across Sangrur district has been uncovered, sparking allegations of corruption and mismanagement within the education department, claimed Democratic Teachers Front (DTF).
The scandal, which involves the unauthorized enrolment of students in the e-Punjab online portal, is believed to have been orchestrated to manipulate the creation of headteacher vacancies in schools and benefit certain teachers during promotions, the front alleged.
The issue first came to light in January when the headteacher of Government Primary School, Sohian, located in Block Sangrur-1, submitted a complaint to the District Education Officer (DEO) of Elementary Education. The complaint alleged that 33 fake students had been enroled in the school through the e-Punjab portal, despite there being no actual enrolment of such students. A similar complaint was raised by the management committee of Government Primary School Ruldu Singh Wala, in Block Dhuri, when it was discovered that 19 fake students had been enroled in the portal during the December school holidays. Both schools reported the fraudulent actions to the relevant authorities, but no immediate action was taken.
DTF leaders have claimed that the fake admissions were part of a deliberate scheme to create headteacher vacancies. In government primary schools, a headteacher position becomes available only when the school has more than 60 students. By falsely inflating student numbers, officials could secure promotions for favoured teachers or assign them to schools closer to their homes, ensuring they benefitted from the system.
Despite several complaints filed with the district education officer, the state education minister, and even the Chief Minister’s office, the case has not seen any significant progress, the front said. The accused block primary education officer (BPEO), who allegedly facilitated these fraudulent enrolments, was promoted shortly after the complaints were made, further raising concerns of foul play within the education department, they alleged.
The DTF organized a press conference on Wednesday to highlight the growing frustration with the lack of action. DTF leaders voiced their discontent with the handling of the investigation.
DEO Baljinder Kaur said that a thorough investigation had been conducted and that no guilty parties were found. She claimed that the inquiry committee had followed the necessary procedures.
In addition to submitting complaints to the cyber and vigilance departments for further scrutiny, the DTF has also announced plans for a protest on April 1 if no decisive action is taken.
