BIRGUNJ, JUNE 22

A community school principal in Birgunj is learnt to have appointed teachers at his whim by accepting commissions from teachers thus appointed. It is learnt that Umesh Thakur of Mahanagar Preliminary School of Pragatinagar, Birgunj Metropolitan City-3 appointed teachers in return for commissions.

The shenanigan was first revealed when the teachers who had been fraudulently appointed by the principal, lodged complaints at the district administration office seeking action against the principal about four months back after they didn't get salary for months. Preliminary investigation revealed that Principal Thakur had appointed nine teachers at his own whim - six primary level teachers and three child care teachers.

According to sources, the administration, following the complaints of the teachers, had written to Thakur to present himself at the administration with relevant documents but he simply refused to accept the administration's letter.

Though Birgunj metropolis had also written to him to present himself at the metropolis with relevant documents, he refused to acknowledge the letter and didn't present himself as sought.

Lately, the administration, last week, wrote to police for their help to produce Thakur at the administration.

"We got a letter and asked Thakur to present himself at the administration. We don't know whether he has presented himself or not," said DSP Om Prakash Khanal, spokesperson of District Police Office Parsa.

Meanwhile, Birgunj Sub-metropolis' education administration division chief Arabindalal Karna has informed that the division has blocked the salary of the principal from the day complaints were filed against him. "We've blocked his salary after he refused to present himself at our office," said Karna, adding the metropolis has set up a committee to investigate the alleged fraudulent appointment of teachers. Action will be taken as per the report of the committee.

A version of this article appears in the print on June 23, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.