Education dept needs a course in computers

For Naresh Kumar (name changed), a government school principal, his transfer was a surprise. He had joined a school in West Delhi just a week ago when he was transferred again to another school in east Delhi.

For Naresh Kumar (name changed), a government school principal, his transfer was a surprise. He had joined a school in West Delhi just a week ago when he was transferred again to another school in east Delhi.

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"How can I be transferred twice in a week," asked Kumar, who was busy checking the records and pleading with the senior officials to find out in which school should he report at.

For some other teachers, the due date of retirement was increased or decreased much. While a teacher, due to retire in November 2006 got a note saying that he would retire in November 2004, another teacher due to retire last month did not get any intimation. While some schools have excess of science teachers, some others have more arts teachers than they need.

The computerisation of the records of the Education Department of Delhi government has meant new problems for the teachers and principals of several schools. "All sorts of problems are cropping up," admitted a senior official in the department.

Ever since the computerisation of database began in the schools, the problems started manifesting. Officials said that the problem was not with the system as such but the feeding of data in the computers. "We have a huge database in the form of bulky files and all that has to be fed in the computers. If a wrong information is fed, everything goes out of place," the official said.

The Education Department, however, said these are “teething problems”.