DPI seeks report on pvt schools not following rules on salaries

The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) has initiated the process to take action against private unaided schools which are not following terms and conditions for employment of their staff.

The circular issued earlier this month seeks reports from district deputy directors of public instruction (DDPI) on progress made on orders issued by the department earlier this year and even from several years ago.

In 2006, the government had issued a letter that when renewing recognition of schools, the DDPI should check whether the school is paying their staff through the bank, and whether other services for staff were in place. The circular cited the letter observing that no action has been taken in this regard.

DDPIs have also been asked to furnish details of the number of complaints against private school managements registered with the District Education Regulatory Authority (DERA) for not following service rules prescribed in the Karnataka Education Act, 1983. They have been asked for progress reports on these cases.

Associated Management of English Medium Schools in Karnataka (KAMS) has, however, objected to the government’s rule regarding salaries.

“They expect us to pay private school teachers the basic pay given to government teachers. The basic salary for a government teacher as per sixth pay commission is too much for low-budget private schools to pay. Parents also object any increase in the fee,” D Shashi Kumar, general secretary KAMS said.

The association has written to the Primary and Secondary Education Minister Tanveer Sait and commissioner of public instruction stating their objection to the rules regarding salary.

DH News Service