In a firm move to enforce accountability and improve the quality of education and student welfare, the Chief Education Officer (CEO) Rajouri Mohammad Hafiz has served explanation notices to 87 Masters and Teachers and placed one teacher under suspension after conducting district-wide surprise inspection of government schools.
The action followed the constitution of a panel of senior officers by the CEO to monitor regularity, punctuality, work culture, academic standards and effective implementation of the Mid-Day Meal (MDM) Scheme. The inspection teams conducted comprehensive surprise inspections of government schools across district Rajouri on December 18.
As per inspection reports, 14 schools were found providing substandard Mid-Day Meals not in conformity with the approved menu, raising serious concerns over students’ nutritional well-being. In 10 schools, discrepancies were detected between actual student attendance and the data uploaded on the ARMs portal.
The inspections further revealed misutilization of School Infrastructure Fund (SIF) in 13 schools, while 9 schools had improperly utilized Samagra Shiksha grants.
In another 9 schools, items shown as purchased were not physically available during inspection. Additionally, 15 schools failed to maintain mandatory store stock registers, indicating serious financial and administrative lapses.
On the academic front, 5 schools were found lacking proper checking of students’ notebooks, while 13 schools exhibited poor academic performance. Moreover, 8 schools showed unsatisfactory facelifting and maintenance of school buildings despite the availability of funds.
Taking a serious view of these lapses, the CEO Rajouri has directed the concerned 87 Masters and Teachers to submit their written explanations through their respective Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) within two days. It has been made clear that failure to respond within the stipulated time frame will invite strict disciplinary action under rules without any further notice.
Meanwhile, Khalil Ahmed, Teacher, MS Padhyara (Zone Peeri), has been placed under suspension for negligence and non-maintenance of Mid-Day Meal records. During the suspension period, he shall remain attached to HS Treru (Zone Moghla) and will be entitled to suspension allowance as per rules.