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Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Karnataka headmaster suspended after demanding basic classroom facilities for his students
A government school headmaster in Karnataka has been suspended after he protested seeking a classroom for the 146 students of his school who have no choice but to study outdoors. Veeranna Madivalar, Headmaster, Government Lower Primary School, in Nidagundi village under Belagavi district, was recently suspended by education authorities following his 15-kilometre silent protest march and hunger strike last Tuesday. The award-winning educator walked barefoot to the Block Education Office in Raibag taluk, seeking approval for classroom construction. The lack of a classroom has forced children to study under the scorching sun and monsoon rain. Despite three classrooms being approved nearly three years ago during former education commissioner Anbukumar's tenure, the construction has not commenced. Speaking to the media, Madivalar said, 'I am a government servant who has always upheld government dignity. I've received district-level best teacher awards and international recognition, spending all prize money on student welfare.' 'No child should endure the harsh sun, rain, or wind while learning. When repeated appeals went unheard, I punished myself through silent protest – not against the government, but for the children,' he added. The headmaster had ended his demonstration after Raibag Tahsildar Suresh Munje assured him that the matter would be taken up with higher authorities. However, education officials viewed his actions as misconduct, violating service rules. In the suspension order, Basavarajappa R, Block Education Officer, Raibag, stated: 'As headmaster, you protested against the department, causing embarrassment to both the department and the government. Regardless of demands, you should have followed protocol by submitting respectful written requests instead of publicly challenging the system.' The BEO cited violations of Karnataka Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 2021, specifically clause 9(ii), prohibiting government employees from organising strikes. Officials also noted that media coverage and social media posts about the protest brought disrepute to the department. The suspension has sparked widespread concern among local communities and education activists, who argued that punishing an educator for advocating basic school infrastructure was a grave injustice.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Decision to suspend teacher demanding more classrooms comes under fire in Karnataka
Some intellectuals and writers have criticised the decision of the government of Karnataka to suspend a primary school headmaster for his silent protest demanding four additional classrooms in Raibag in Belagavi district. The zilla panchayat has issued an order suspending, until further inquiry, Veeranna Madiwalar, headmaster of the government primary school in Ambedkar Nagar in Nidagundi in Belagavi district, for holding a silent protest seeking construction of additional classrooms. The order says he had behaved 'in a manner not befitting a government servant'. Manner of protest On May 27, Mr. Madiwalar had walked from his school to the Block Education Office, holding an image of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and a placard demanding the construction of four rooms. He sat in front of the office and announced a fast unto death till his demand was met. The BEO and tahsildar of Raibag told him that the government had sanctioned two rooms and the construction would begin soon. They asked him to withdraw his protest, but he did not do so. He said the protest would continue till the government gave a concrete assurance about new rooms. The officials claimed that he argued with them in 'an insensitive and uncivilised manner'. The teacher, however, claimed that the officers were blind to his sincere requests, and misinterpreted his intention. 'They issued a suspension order within 24 hours of giving me a show-cause notice. The notice said I should respond in 24 hours. But I was suspended before I could do so,' he said. Out of Kannada Sahitya Sammelana money S.G. Siddaramaiah, former chairman of the Karnataka Book Authority, advised the State Government to stop organising the Kannada Sahitya Sammelana for a few years, and take up construction of classrooms and other infrastructure in all schools. The government spends between ₹20-30 crore per year on the sammelana. 'That money could easily be diverted to such infrastructure creation,' he said. Shashidhar Kosambe, member, Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, said, 'The State Government should immediately revoke the suspension and fulfil his demand for construction of four new rooms in the school. If the State Government delays these decisions, the commission will register a suo moto complaint against the officials responsible.' He added that Mr. Madiwalar is also a sensitive poet, and has been awarded the Central Literary Award. Detailed reply Mr. Madiwalar said he had given a detailed reply to the government. 'I have argued that I have not violated any rule, nor acted in an uncivilised manner. I am a disciplined government servant, and have done all that I could for developing the school. I have only said that I will continue to demand school rooms. Our school has 150 students from class one to seven, but has only two rooms. What is more, I am the only permanent teacher in our school. We need permanent teachers for all classes and enough classrooms,' he said.
Hindustan Times
03-05-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
22L U.P. school kids may miss DBT for uniforms, stationery as verification lags
Nearly 22 lakh students in government-run primary and upper primary schools in Uttar Pradesh may miss out on the ₹1,200 direct benefit transfer (DBT) meant for school uniforms, shoes, bags, and stationery this academic year, as their verification process remains incomplete. The basic education department has so far verified 87.73 lakh students out of the 1.09 crore children promoted to the next class. The verification backlog is delaying the disbursement of DBT to parents' bank accounts, nearly a month after the new session began. 'There will be a delay in sending the amount of school dress, shoes, socks, sweaters, bags and stationery through DBT due to non-verification of about 22 lakh students who got promoted to the next class in council primary and upper primary schools,' an official said. Under the current process, headmasters must verify on the Prerna portal the number of students who have taken admission in the next class and those who have dropped out. These records must then be validated online by block education officers (BEO) and district basic education officers (BSA). They also need to confirm that the Aadhaar-linked bank accounts of students' guardians are active. Out of the verified students, 3.27 lakh records are pending approval at the BEO level and another 3.33 lakh at the BSA level. The DBT process cannot proceed until all three levels of verification are complete. Deputy education director (Primary), Sanjay Kumar Upadhyay, expressed concern over the delay in a letter dated May 1. He instructed all headmasters, BEOs, and BSAs to expedite the verification process for the 2025–26 academic session. However, the communication did not mention a deadline for completion. 'To ensure funds are transferred through DBT, it must be ensured that all promoted students are verified at the school level, with details certified by the BEO and further verified by the DBE officers,' Upadhyay directed.
Hindustan Times
30-04-2025
- Hindustan Times
Dead teacher withdrew salary for over a year in Bihar's Saharsa, 4 BEOs served notices
A dead government teacher in Bihar continued to withdraw salary for over a year. This bizarre incident took place in Bihar's Saharsa district and the matter came into light when on March 13, block education officer (BEO) Sabita Kumari wrote to the district education officer (DEO) in this regard prompting the department to investigate the matter. The matter came into the notice of the media only on Tuesday. Also read: TS SSC 10th Result 2025: 92.78% pass BSE Telangana Class 10, girls surpass boys by close to 3%, check details Four block education officers (BEOs) who served the block during this period have been served notices. The deceased, who was working at Middle School Dumri under Mahishi block as a contract teacher, was later identified as Ram Prasad Raushan, a resident of Telwa (Mahishi), died on December 22, 2023. Next day the then headmaster of the school Ajit Roy informed the department about the death. 'The salary of the dead teacher continued to be credited in the accounts of the dead teacher till February 2025,' sources said adding 'Soon after Sabita Kumari assumed the charge of BEO in March, she wrote to the higher authorities asking to take decision in this regard.' Also read: CISCE ICSE Results 2025 announced, girls outperform boys this year too, here's an analysis of result An official in the department told HT, 'The salary continued to be credited in the accounts of the dead teacher for 13 months, and you can't say it was simply negligence, it was a blunder and it tells the real picture of the education department which has been making tall claims.' While district education officer (DEO) Anil Kumar did not respond to the repeated calls of HT, district programme officer (Establishment) Sanjay Kumar said, 'Four BEOs during that period (13 months) have been served show –cause in this regard and further action will be taken after they submit their explanations.' Also read: TBSE 10th Results 2025 released, direct link to check Tripura Class 10 marks Of the four BEOs who have been served show cause notices three of them have already retired from the service. Also read: TS SSC 10th Result 2025: 92.78% pass BSE Telangana Class 10, girls surpass boys by close to 3%, check details Satya Prasad Singh, Vidyanand Tiwary and Sanjay Kumar (All BEOs) have already been retired while the then DPO Rajneesh Kumar Jha who was also holding the additional charge of BEO of Mahishi has been served notice. He is currently posted in Saran as DPO.
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Ensure disciplined process is followed during II PUC exam-2'
Mandya: BC Shivanandamurthy , additional deputy commissioner, directed officials to implement stringent measures to ensure the II PUC exam-2 is conducted without any irregularities. The exams are scheduled to take place from April 24 to May 5. Speaking at a preparatory meeting held on Wednesday, Shivanandamurthy emphasised the need for a smooth and disciplined examination process . He highlighted that a total of 5,325 students will appear for re-examinations at eight designated centres. To ensure secure handling of question papers, a three-member committee comprising the tahsildar, block education officer (BEO), and principals was constituted. Question papers will be distributed through six designated routes, with security measures in place throughout the process. Basic amenities such as adequate seating, drinking water, clean toilets, and uninterrupted electricity supply have been arranged at all centres. Health personnel will be stationed at each location to address any medical emergencies during the exams. Attendance of students will be monitored through an online login portal, ensuring real-time tracking and transparency. Additionally, armed police personnel will be deployed at all centres and will also accompany the teams responsible for transporting question papers.
