Bhubaneswar, May 18: The Orissa High Court has directed the Director of Elementary Education to provide an update on the progress of identifying teachers who are suspected of possessing fraudulent educational certificates. The Court also requested that an affidavit be submitted on this matter. The directive was issued by a two-judge bench consisting of Chief Justice Chakradhari Sharan Singh and Justice MS Raman. They specified that the affidavit should also address allegations regarding the enrollment of non-existent students, which may be a tactic to misappropriate funds from the Mid-day Meal scheme.
A previous affidavit from the Director of Elementary Education disclosed that 384 individuals suspected of using fake credentials had been identified, and legal actions were initiated against them. However, the court’s scrutiny suggests that additional efforts are necessary to eliminate such malpractice from the education sector.
This decision arose during the court’s review of a six-year-old Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that raised concerns about teacher appointments in government schools. Allegations indicate that some teachers obtained their positions by submitting counterfeit educational certificates, a serious issue that has garnered significant attention. Sources indicate that the High Court’s order signifies a concerted effort to address deep-seated problems within the education system. Despite acknowledging progress in identifying and taking action against such teachers, including dismissals and criminal proceedings, the bench emphasized that the process of identifying fraudulent educators is still ongoing.