Corruption is a growing trend in TN Education Department: Madras High Court

The Madras High Court Monday observed there is a growing trend of corruption among higher authorities in the state education department and stressed the need for the vigilance and anti-corruption departments to investigate them.

It also asked authorities to verify details of properties of teaching and non-teaching staff in government schools.

"There is a growing trend of corruption amongst the higher authorities in the education department.

"Thus, the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Department must conduct investigations against the authorities of the education department in the event of any inputs or otherwise," Justice S M Subramaniam said.

The judge directed the principal secretary to government and the director of school education to verify details of movable and immovable properties of teaching and non-teaching staff in government and government-aided schools with reference to the declaration made by these employees in service records.

"If any discrepancies are identified, suitable actions are to be taken, if necessary, through the department of vigilance and anti-corruption and under discipline and appeal rules," the court said.

It also directed the state school education department to implement the Aadhaar enabled biometric attendance system in all government schools and government-aided institutions as per the government policy and as expeditiously as possible.

The court rejected petitioner R Annal's prayer challenging implementation of the attendance system for teaching and non-teaching staff employed in these schools.

The attendance system was systematically being implemented by the Union government, high courts and other public institutions across the country, the court said.

"When the government thought fit to introduce such an advanced system for the purpose of ensuring foolproof attendance system in public services, it cannot be objected by none other than a teacher working in a school, who is expected to be a role model for young children," it said.

The government was constrained to implement such a scheme as teachers in government schools are not attending school in time and leaving before school hours.

"These teachers are involving in various other activities unconnected with their teaching profession even in the schools," it said.

The court observed that growing indiscipline, as well as negligence on part of teachers and non-teaching staff, were not properly dealt with by competent educational authorities.