The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Tuesday, April 30, 2002, Chandigarh, India

THE TRIBUNE SPECIALS

50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

M A I N N E W S

Scandal in selection of teachers?
Sarbjit Dhaliwal
Tribune News Service

The Lok Pal, Justice D.V.Sehgal, according to informed sources, has started inquiries against two former Akali Ministers, one former Akali MLA and one present Akali MLA. The former Ministers are Mr Tota Singh and Mr Gulzar Singh Ranike. The complaint against Mr Tota Singh has been submitted by a Moga-based journalist, Mr Krishan Aneja, and his wife. The complaint against Mr Ranike has been submitted by one of his close relations. It has been alleged that Mr Ranike has assets disproportionate to his known sources of income and these should be probed. Details of his assets have been given in this complaint.

Chandigarh, April 29
Ms Nisha Kaura’s complaint to the Lok Pal, Punjab, with regard to the selection of science masters has created a sort of “earthquake” in the Punjab Education Department. As things are moving at the moment, it appears that many heads may roll once the inquiry is completed and the report submitted by the Lok Pal to the authorities concerned.

Informed sources said that the Lok Pal had been provided with “authentic” evidence that indicated a big scandal in the selections made by a committee set up by the Punjab Education Department. And the heat of this scandal is likely to reach to a former Akali Minister of the SAD-BJP government. In fact, all selections of masters in different subjects have become suspect in view of the manner in which these were handled by various selection committees.

Nearly 500 persons reportedly appeared before the selection committee. Out of these nearly 100 were selected. The sources said that the selection process was a “farce”. The chairman of the committee appointed to select science teachers was an officer having the background of a teacher of physical education.

The sources said that members of the selection committee were called here by the Lok Pal. When they appeared before the Lok Pal, Justice D.V. Sehgal, they were asked how they were qualified to ask questions about science subjects from candidates to be recruited as science masters. Ms Nisha Kaura, who hails from Raikot, has a brilliant academic record — matric (76 per cent), BSc Medical (72 per cent), BEd (72 per cent) and MSc in Chemistry (83 per cent marks and topper in Panjab University). She was rejected by the committee. Were members appointed on the committee by the department fit to ask questions from such brilliant students?

Interestingly, to select JBT teachers, who work in primary schools, experts were appointed from universities by the department on the directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Why was the same criteria not followed in the case of the science and other cadres of master?