Gujarat education officers put to the test

“The attempt is at better functioning of the department,” said C V Som,Commissioner of Schools. He convened the Wednesday exam at STTI.

DEOs were seen busy going through various rule books on education,affiliation of schools,appointment of faculty,general resolutions issued by the education department and examination guidelines issued over the years. They will be evaluated with grades – A,B,C and so on,in descending order.

The examination is based on five broad subjects. These include rules and latest general resolutions on addition of section in a class by a school and rules pertaining to extension permission to schools for Class XI and XII. Second subject was on present rules pertaining to surplus teachers.

Gujarat education officers put to the test

Another subject involved Section 27 of Secondary Education Rules (1974) that pertains to principal,teachers and non teaching staff of private schools.

The instructions also involved Section 36 of Secondary Education Rules (1974) pertaining to appointment and suspension of teachers. Apart from teachers,one of the subjects that the DEOs have to prepare pertained to provisions regarding admission and migration period of students.

While the department might be taking this as an attempt at better functioning,the DEOs did not seem to quite like the idea of these examinations. “Certainly,we are stressed about this performance examination as our ACRs would be based on the examination marks. This is a peak time for results and admissions and we are already pressurised under so much of work. Five examinations in a year would mean continuous pressure on us,” one of the DEOs said on the condition of anonymity as he came out of the examination room at STTI.

Though not all the 27 DEOs were of the same view. A few welcomed the move and said this would enhance performance and make them more aware about rules and guidelines issued from time to time. “Now,none can say that they were not aware about any circular or resolution passed by the department,” said another DEO.

The decision of conducting five annual examinations for the DEOs was taken in a meeting convened by the Principal Secretary (Education) A K Tiwari on May 28. Keeping in mind lack of knowledge on rules and even resolutions passed by the education department,it was decided that the DEOs have to take five examinations in a year. Two of the exams will be held before the Diwali vacations and the rest after this vacation.