Jajarkot, July 19

Irregularities have been reported in the process of temporary teachers’ appointment in Jajarkot. It is reported that selections were made on the basis of commission rather than qualification as that was apparently the major criteria for the candidates’ eligibility.

According to victimised teachers, they have been forced to cough up a huge amount for everything from application forms to interview during the selection process. “You pay extra buck, and there are people who will fix your exam papers and are even ready to appear for the exam on your behalf,” said a teacher on condition of anonymity.

Meanwhile, stakeholders too have bemoaned the increasing irregularities reported during the teachers’ appointment process in the district. They have cited instances of 10,000 rupees being charged just for an application form. Apart from this, it is said unreasonably high amounts were sought for invigilating the teachers’ selection exams.

“It’s unfortunate how the exams are put off if there is disagreement over the commission amount for selecting a candidate for the post. In fact, such unethical practice has put the entire education sector to shame and discouraged deserving candidates,” said civil society leader Rajendra Bikram Shah.

A case in point, an employee at the district education office managed to pocket as much as Rs 5,000 just for invigilating a teacher selection exam for three hours. “As he was not ready to accept the 2,000 rupees that I offered, I had to pay 3,000 more as per his demand,” lamented Chakra Bahadur Thapa, principal at the Kalika Primary School of Dinga in Bheri Municipality.

Similarly, there are other complaints about DEO employees. Though there is a five-member selection committee, including school inspector as representative of the DEO to select candidates, there are complaints of other DEO employees unnecessarily throwing them in the selection process to claim allowances. Besides, schools have to pay a huge amount under various other headings in case they need to appoint a temporary teacher.

District Education Officer Lalit Bikram Singh, however, disavowed all these allegations. “It is unfortunate that schools should charge such high amounts from candidates and distribute money unnecessary to this or that person. Such practice must stop,” he said.

As per the rule, application form for temporary teacher of the primary and secondary levels are Rs 400 and Rs 700 respectively. Similarly, meeting or exam allowances is Rs 1,000 per person, tops.