SED orders action against scores of teachers

Srinagar, Apr 3: The Jammu and Kashmir School Education Department (SED) has ordered disciplinary action against teachers and officials who acquired higher qualifications through regular mode without obtaining prior permission from the competent authority.

The decision has come following the scrutiny of PG degree certificates submitted by the teachers for their inclusion in the seniority list.

As per order issued by the SED, scores of teachers have obtained postgraduate degrees in violation of Civil Service Rules which is obstructing the finalisation of seniority lists and promotions.

The SED has referred to the observations made by the Finance Department which has recommended strict disciplinary measures, including action against the teachers and the Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) who facilitated the teachers to pursue the degrees.

The SED has also referred to the observations made by the General Administration Department (GAD) and the Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs which has also raised queries on employees pursuing higher qualification without obtaining proper permission from the competent authorities.

As per the fresh order, SED has warned teachers of penalties if found violating the service rules

“Employees who completed their higher qualification before joining service but appeared for final exams post-appointment, their cases will be reviewed by a special committee constituted under Govt Order No. 188-JK(Edu) of 2024, and recommendations will be made accordingly,” the SED order reads.

It reads that employees who partially completed their degree before entering service and completed the rest during employment, the period used for studies will be marked as ‘Dies-Non’ (no service benefit counted), and salary recovery for that period will be initiated on a case-by-case basis.

“Employees who pursued and completed degrees while in service without drawing a salary during the study period, their study period will also be considered ‘Dies-Non,’ and they will face a penalty of two withheld increments,” the order reads.

As per the orders such employees will be excluded from seniority lists for promotions.

“Employees who pursued and completed degrees while drawing salaries during their study period, their cases will be excluded from seniority list and will face a penalty of two withheld increments, and their salaries for the study period will be recovered by the department,” the order reads.

As per the order, the seniority of eligible employees for promotion will be counted only from the date of acquiring a valid higher qualification.