COURTESY-- PPlans afoot to replace members from Indian school boards
Pay Rs 50,000 (as bribe), become a teacher
Times of Oman August 12, 2001
An applicant for a teaching post in one of the top Indian schools in Muscat was asked to give a bribe of Rs50,000 (approximately RO410) after she appeared for an interview in Chennai, recently, reported the Times of Oman, a leading English newspaper from Muscat. 'Sources, close to the lady who applied for the post of a science teacher and attended the interview in Chennai, last month, told the Times of Oman yesterday that a mediator, who was part of the interview board, came out after the interview was conducted and broached this subject with this lady. However, it is not known whether the mediator approached others who had appeared for the interview.A top Indian school here recently conducted interviews for their new academic year at centres in Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai,' said the Times of Oman Report.
"While the shenanigans, if any, at the other centres are not known, it is understood that such practices are not entirely rare. Even during last year’s recruitment, such a situation occurred, but it was hushed up.In the Chennai recruitment imbroglio, this potential lady teacher was properly interviewed and the process went off smoothly. But, after she stepped out of the interview, a member who was also present in the interview board approached her,' said the paper, popular for breaking such sensitive news.
"The lady was told that doing well in an interview alone would not get her anywhere. She had to wield certain amount of influence and that could be done only if she had proper contacts in Delhi.The mediator then offered her his services and said that he could mediate in this regard for a fee. 'Some kind of pressure has to be applied because the school is controlled by the Indian embassy," the mediator has allegedly told this lady, whose relatives and friends are here in Oman," the report said.
'The man also noted that this fee was being collected for the costs incurred in travelling to Delhi and using other means to put pressure "on those in Delhi", the sources said.This mediator also made it clear that the lady could be put in the list, which would include the selected candidates if not for this year, but for future purposes too. "The list would be valid for a few more years; it is not just to fill the present vacancies, but future vacancies too," the man told this potential teacher.
A candidate requires to be a BEd graduate to apply for this post.When the Indian embassy was contacted to obtain details of the above, an embassy official concerned categorically stated that the Indian embassy has no role to play in the recruitment of teachers for the Indian schools here.
He also noted that no one had brought such information to their notice. "We are not aware of this issue and since no one had complained, we feel it is a non-issue," he said.Meanwhile, other sources added that since the school authorities (the subcommittee concerned) has full right to choose the candidates and they can do so to their discretion.
"They need not require approval from anywhere, so it is unlikely that these could be the school authorities concerned but, definitely it has to be those involved in the selection process from India."Apparently, school authorities normally seek the help of the local agents in the interview/exam centres.
In this case, this school has appointed a local agent to supply them with books, etc. Sources suspect someone from this local agency, a bookseller from Gopalapuram in Chennai, to be behind this bribe issue.Normally, the schools advertise their vacancies in major Indian cities and candidates respond directly. "After this the school authorities shortlist the candidates and the academic subcommittee of the school evaluates the merits of the shortlisted candidates.
"It is after this that the shortlisted candidates would be called for an interview."Usually, the school principal concerned, the chairman of the academic committee and a few members of the academic committee go for the interviews/recruitment," sources said.What has annoyed the sources is that this has brought to light the sad fact that on most occasions, the right candidates are not chosen. "In other words some undeserving people get the job — this is unfortunate."
However, other sources disputed this noting that the whole shoddy manner in which this episode has been conducted shows that it is being done by anti-social elements, which is part of any educational scenario."There are always someone who is planning to make a fast buck. This should not portray the school concerned in bad light," they said.
A few others also dismissed the case, stating that it could be a "concocted one", and being highlighted by those who failed to make the grade. "It is purely a matter of sour grapes. Someone must have failed in the interview and he or she must have cooked up this story," the other sources maintained.
Plans afoot to replace members from Indian school boards
Times of Oman October 25
MUSCAT — A major move to remove members of the board of directors, as well as the committee members of the Indian schools here, who have put in six or more years in their respective committees would come into effect shortly, sources say.
In other words, heads are definitely going to roll. Those who are going to be discharged from their duties would be the ones who have overstayed their tenure in either the school board or committees and it is expected to be fully implemented this year itself. That is, even before the conclusion of the academic year, which is to end in March, next year.
Normally, the committees are reconstituted every March, but this particular move is expected to come into effect much before March, sources said.
Apparently, those who are likely to be affected by this move would include around 12 committee members from Indian School Al Wadi Al Kabir, four members of the Indian School Darsait, two members from the board etc., whose tenure has gone beyond six years. There are also others, but a clear picture on this have not emerged yet.
But, some of the members who have completed six years (or more) in the committees here have already begun to voluntarily resign. While some may criticise and claim this is a mere face-saving exercise, it is however to the larger benefit of the members themselves and would also serve smoothening the execution of this move, others note.
In fact, a senior committee member of an Indian school here has been the first member to resign voluntarily. His move has been appreciated by the Indian embassy here, and he has apparently received a commendation to this respect.
The constitution of the Indian schools in Oman clearly states that each member can stay for six years. Actually, each member gets a two-year tenure, after which he/she will have to be reelected for two other tenures of two years each.Another two-year extension of the term is possible only in exceptional cases. But, it has to be a real and genuine exception, a school source told the Times of Oman.
In other words, the constitution (of the Indian schools) would be implemented in ‘letter and in spirit’."This corrective measure or action is being taken to address any aberrations that would have taken place," another school source noted. It is understood that the Indian embassy is firm on implementing this decision. In fact, this is being implemented primarily because of the overriding consideration for the welfare of the parents concerned. In fact, the parents have been campaigning for such a move for many years.
The move is being effected primarily to avoid any cases of ‘vested interests’ among the long serving committee members, sources told the Times. "The more time that committee members spend in the committee or board, naturally, they would develop vested interests," a source noted. Besides, there is a general feeling why some members have the privilege of continuing in the committee and board etc., for long periods when others voluntarily resign, or are at times asked to leave.
Some of the members have been either in the committee or board for periods ranging from 10 to 15 years. Although a member is eligible to sit in the committee for six years, he or she can be elected to the board for another six-year stint. But, like parents and other sources point out, 15 years etc., really takes the cake."There should be a balance in whatever that is being done. The sad part is that this has been continuing for years and that too right under the noses of the top school authorities concerned. But, nothing was done," the sources said, however maintaining that this move was not prompted because of any untoward actions committed by the members.
"Apparently, nothing like that is involved. All that is being done is that the constitution is being implemented in ‘letter and spirit’ — no other issues are involved," another source said, who further denied that this was a move being effected because of the misdemeanours of some of the members concerned.
However, ex-committee officials paint a different picture: There is a sheer lack of transparency in the selection of members to both the school committees and board.They alleged that the board members are neither qualified nor competent to run the schools. "By just being a CEO or general manager of a company does not give any qualification to handle a school. For that we need specialised people."
Others lashed out that board members had vested interests, "That is not personal gains, but a kind of obligation to support other powers that be".Yet others note that there is "no accountability whatsoever and as far as the members are concerned, they clearly misinterpret the constitution to suit their personal interests; sacking a committee member, misinterpretation of rules regarding quorum etc."However, supporters of the committee members do not fail to add that it is easy to criticise the parties concerned because of their ‘vulnerable’ positions. "Also, if they have indeed committed any crime, why is it not being reflected in the school’s achievements," they ask, pointing out that all of the schools have maintained good academic records. "Also, even if these members are removed, is there any guarantee that the replacements would be any better," others query.
