Pre-university teachers beware. The next time you approach a politician for help on your career prospects  you could land up in trouble. Even accepting “Gurudakshine” from your student could be considered as misconduct and disciplinary action could be initiated against you. For the first time, a comprehensive a code of conduct for employees of aided and unaided pre-university colleges has been notified by the education department.

The code is part of the Karnataka Pre-University Education (Academic, registration, Administration and Grant-in-aid) Rules which was notified on July 8 this year.

First time
This is the first time that the education department has framed detailed guidelines that includes among others, procedure for establishing a new private PU college, recognition, fee structure, procedure for recruitment, promotions, transfer of teachers and disciplinary enquiries under one head.

Conducting private tuition classes is a strict no-no for PU teachers, under the code. So is accepting gifts, but for a “casual meal, lift or other social hospitality”. There is some leniency on special occasions - a gift could be accepted if its value is less than Rs 250.

Attempting to bring political or other influence for furtherance of one’s interest will now attract disciplinary action.
In fact, there are 25 clauses under the code from criticising policies of State government to participation in demonstration which is prejudicial to the interest of the integrity of the country.

Registers galore
While the current trend is about going paperless and total computerisation, the rules take a step backwards. The rules mention that college managements need to maintain not less than 28 registers from admission fee collected to contingent charges and from stock register for sports articles to account book of postage.

Other heads include staff and students memo book, register of increments sanctioned and to top them all - a register to track the movement of service registers !

THE RULES INCLUDE
Procedure for starting new PU colleges
Supervision and control of PU colleges
Admission procedure for students
Quantum of work for lecturers and non-teaching staff
Grant-in-aid policy
Promotion criterion for teachers and principals
Fee structure for I and II PU students
Code of conduct for employees
Procedure for conducting disciplinary enquiries