Allegations of Backdoor hiring and abuse of power in appointment of HS district coordinators

Kottayam: It is alleged that Coordinators and Assistant Coordinators to oversee the activities of Higher secondary schools in the district are being appointed without following any criteria. Senior teachers who seem favorable in the eyes of the ruling party are appointed for the same. 

Coordinators for Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta, Palakkad, Kozhikode, Kannur, Kasargod districts and an Assistant coordinator for Kannur district have been appointed in this manner. Higher secondary schools have regional offices in seven districts. 

A regional office holds the administrative responsibilities of two districts. The order issued states that these coordinators have been appointed to aid the regional officers in view of the lack of district offices. 

Appointment of coordinators and assistant coordinators was undertaken by the previous government also. As per Higher Secondary Special rule, such a post does not exist. An RTI filed against this proves that no criteria or qualifications have been considered to make the appointments.

The opposition teachers' union alleges that these coordinators interfere in administrative operations often leaving even Regional Deputy Directors (RDD) as mere spectators. The Aided Higher Secondary Teachers association claims that these coordinators are issuing orders via Whatsapp and conduct ad hoc administration. They demand transparency in the functioning of the office by appointing more teachers to this section. 

Backdoor hiring

“Abuse of power and political interference using Coordinators should be curbed. The government should take measures to strengthen regional offices and put an end to backdoor appointments”, S. Manoj, State General Secretary, AHSTA said.