Mirpurkhas deputy commissioner, district education officer lock horns

Education officer accused of harassment following complaint against DC

HYDERABAD: With barbs flying, the deputy commissioner of Mirpurkhas, Zahid Hussain Memon, and district education officer Syed Wajid Ali Shah appear to be locked in a conflict. The latter wrote a complaint against Zahid on November 13 and the following day some female teachers allegedly charged Shah's office, accusing him of harassment.

Taking notice of the issue, the provincial chief secretary assigned the inquiry to Hyderabad Commissioner Saeed Ahmed Mangnejo on Wednesday. "Due to unnecessary intervention [by the DC] in important affairs of my office, the whole education system of Mirpurkhas is in doldrums," Shah wrote in a complaint to the commissioner of Mirpurkhas division, accusing Zahid of creating 'obstacles' and 'hindrances'.

"The DC is also supporting delinquent taluka education officers," he accused. Shah alleged that taluka education officers Shabbir Ahmed Gujjar, Arif Korejo and Nabi Bux Gurgez are involved in "serious financial irregularities". "[They do] not maintain cash books and stock register. [They are] also misusing the government vehicles and fuel," he lamented.



Shah went on to blame the DC for backing all these education officers who, despite being subordinate to Shah, disobeyed his directives. "Narejo is also protecting his two daughters - Erum Naz and Sanam Naz [both primary school teachers] - who always remain absent as reported by the biometric [data]." Zahid could not be contacted for his version.

Harassment

On Tuesday, during a visit to Government Girls Primary School, Wahdat Colony, Shah allegedly misbehaved with the headmistress, Parveen Shaad and other staff. Hours later Shaad along with her husband Jabbar Memon and a couple of teachers allegedly charged Shah's office and manhandled the district education officer.

The police was called for help by Shah but no arrests were made nor has a police case been lodged so far. Talking to the media outside the district education officer’s office, the teachers blamed Shah for sending offensive text messages and accused him of harassment.

Asghar Rajpoot, chairperson of the school management committee, claimed that they went to lodge a complaint with Shah against his behaviour but the district education officer’s staff assaulted him, Shaad and other teachers.



Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Mangnejo recorded the statements of four female teachers besides Gujjar, Korejo and Mari. Talking to the media, the commissioner said some of the teachers have accused Shah of sending them messages which amount to harassment and of hurling insults.

The district education officer was not present in the district to record his statement. "I am conducting the inquiry. I will hear both the sides and submit the report to the chief secretary," he told.