DSEK orders inquiry into unauthorised absence of Bandipora teacher from his school for 21 years

Srinagar, Mar 21: The Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) has ordered an inquiry to probe 21-year "unauthorised absence" of a teacher from his school in north Kashmir's Bandipora district.

The move comes weeks after the DSEK ordered repatriation of all teaching and non-teaching staff to their actual place of postings.

While the DSEK directed all the Chief Education Officers (CEOs) to relieve the teachers from their offices with the directions to join their actual place of postings, some teachers were found reluctant to join their schools, in violation of the orders issued by DSEK.

One such case was about ReT teacher from Bandipora district identified as Arsullah Habib whose actual place of posting is in Primary School Aragam, Bandipora.

However it was reported that the teacher was found absent from the school for the last 21 years.

"Whereas, a Preliminary joint report regarding the matter has been received from the District Vigilance Officer, Bandipora and Deputy Chief Education Officer, Bandipora, perusal of which reveals that the matter needs an in-depth inquiry so that all relevant facts can be uncovered," the DSEK order reads.

As per the order Joint Director (North) SED, Kashmir Hakeem Tanveer has been appointed as inquiry officer to inquire into the matter of unauthorized absence of Arsullah Habib, Teacher, Primary School Aragam, Bandipora and "non reporting" by the Controlling and monitoring officers.

As per the order, the inquiry officer has been asked to probe the reasons behind the teacher’s prolonged absence besides the negligence of the officials entrusted with monitoring of the school staff.

"The inquiry officer shall furnish the report along with specific recommendations to this office within 10 days, enabling the department to take appropriate action in the matter, accordingly," the order reads.

As already reported by this newspaper, DSEK has constituted zonal, District and divisional level committees to submit monthly reports about performance of schools including the attendance of teachers and the remarks of the team.

As per the orders, all the reports of these committees are to be submitted to the IMW section of the Directorate for "further course of action.”

Earlier, the teacher in question managed to get an additional assignment in the office of Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, days after DSEK issued orders for repatriation of the teachers from the offices.