Notice over principal signing documents

The education department issued a show-cause notice to St Mary’s SSC School, Mazagaon, on Wednesday. The department found that Father Baptist Pinto was signing admissions-related documents as the school principal, despite the department not having approved his appointment to the post.

The education department issued a show-cause notice to St Mary’s SSC School, Mazagaon, on Wednesday. The department found that Father Baptist Pinto was signing admissions-related documents as the school principal, despite the department not having approved his appointment to the post.

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The school is yet to receive the notice. The notice stated that the department would file an FIR against the school if it fails to provide an explanation.

On April 4, the department had informed the school that Pinto would have to step down from his post because he was allegedly involved in a case filed against the school for misuse of funds. “We found that Pinto was signing documents despite the signatory authority of the principal being passed on to another staff member, Emmy Fernandes. So it is illegal for Pinto to sign documents as principal,” said BD Puri, education inspector.

But the school is refusing to follow the orders claiming that the matter is sub-judice. “We have informed the department time and again that the issue is being fought in court,” said Pinto.

After facing flak from the department for defaulting on Right to Education (RTE) rules while admitting students to Class 5, the school will now draw lots to admit students on Saturday.

The department said that according to RTE Act, schools must hold lottery admissions if the number of applications exceeds the number of seats.

“We were giving admission based on marks secured by students in Class 4,” said Pinto, principal of the school.