Kerala Govt Targets Teachers Violating Rules with Private Tuition Jobs

Public School teachers working in private tuition centres would face departmental action, including cuts in salary increments, if they are found doing so. This decision was taken by the Kerala government to boost the integrity of the education sector and curb malpractices so that teachers can focus on their primary duties.

General Education Minister V Sivankutty warned on Tuesday that such parallel employment by government employees violates official norms. “Teachers in state-run schools should not work in private tuition centres,” he said, adding that stringent action would be taken against violators.

The Vigilance Department and the vigilance wing of the General Education Department will closely monitor the situation. Sivankutty appealed to PTAs also to report cases of state school teachers working in private tuition centers, thereby highlighting collective responsibility of society towards maintaining integrity of the public education system.

According to a senior official in the General Education Department, actions against erring teachers will be based on the Kerala Education Rules (KER) and the Right to Education Act. No criminal proceeding can be initiated against teachers, but the violations will attract departmental measures in terms of cuts in the increments of salary.

The official admitted that it is not possible to monitor all private tuition centres but said the vigilance wing treats such activities as corruption and remains proactive. “It’s an existing practice to take action based on received information, and we continue to do so,” he noted.

On the other hand, the Education Minister stated that a detailed inquiry is being conducted in relation to the leakage of Class 11 Christmas exam question papers. Portions of the leaked papers were seen on a YouTube channel, which forced the Kerala government to form a six-member committee for further inquiry. Sivankutty assured that strict measures are being taken so that such lapses will not occur again and examination processes will be smooth.

The minister emphasized that the Kerala government remains committed to improving the public education system with the active cooperation of society. He stressed that any emerging issues will be resolved swiftly to maintain trust and effectiveness in the sector.

Source- PTI