1,100 teachers on foreign jaunt face the sack

Termination process begins for failing to report for work

Chandigarh, July 24
Punjab has initiated the process of terminating the services of at least 1,100 teachers who have failed to return from foreign trips. The absence of teachers has affected classroom teaching in different schools and also blocked fresh recruitment. These teachers have been missing from work for periods varying between six months and 11 years.
Kahan Singh Pannu, Director General, School Education, said: “The department has decided to terminate the services of teachers who have overstayed abroad for long periods without informing the authorities. The department has already started the proceedings to this effect. The aim is to overcome the shortage of teaching staff.”
“We have compiled the data of teachers missing from work for long periods of time. These teachers have not bothered to cite reasons for delay in reporting back for work and have also not cared to send any communication regarding possible dates of return,” Pannu said.
A senior teacher said “a sizeable majority of our colleagues who get a chance to go abroad were doing petty jobs there. Since the system allowed them to stay on rolls back home, they did not resign”.
Lakbhir Singh, vice-president, Jalandhar District Government School Teachers Union, said: “We have learnt about the action being initiated against the erring teachers who have failed to return from foreign trips. But there has been no formal communication in this regard. In the process, they are blocking job opportunities of hundreds of educated youth.”
Karnail Singh Sandhu, former president, State Government Teachers Union, said: “Those guilty of going abroad and earning their livelihood there while maintaining their service benefits in India do not deserve to be spared. They are blocking the career prospects of a large number of youngsters.
“The government should initiate a similar action against employees of all departments. A perusal of official records will reveal that officials from many other departments have also gone missing while on trips abroad,” he added.
The newly appointed teachers will now be required to file an affidavit saying that their leave application may be considered as resignation letter on failure to return to work within the approved vacation period.

Teaching blues

The absence of teachers has affected classroom teaching in different schools and also blocked fresh recruitment.