‘Defiant’ school principal faces action over TV interview
Students of Govt Girls Secondary School Jacob Lines head home after school. Inflation-hit people in the area are transferring their children from private and trust operated schools to government institutions offering zero tuition fee and free textbooks. Photo: Jalal Qureshi/express
Principal of Government Crescent Model Higher Secondary School Mahboob Alam has stirred controversy by speaking out against district education authorities in a recent TV interview.
His defiance of orders has led education authorities to pursue departmental proceedings against him.
Alam's interview shed light on his refusal to comply with directives from district education officers, who were allegedly pressuring him to compel teachers and students to participate in rallies, seminars, and walks organised by higher education authorities as part of the "Suthra Punjab" campaign initiated by the Chief Minister of Punjab on March 3.
He recounted an incident where he reluctantly sent two teachers and 15 students to participate in a cycle rally, resulting in a student getting severely injured.
Alam argued that such activities were disrupting students' focus on preparing for intermediate and secondary board examinations, causing mental stress for both students and teachers.
Feeling mentally strained by the repeated demands from education authorities, Alam took the unprecedented step of sending a letter via the Prime Minister's portal to address the issue, specifically targeting Iftikhar Khan, the District Education Officer, urging him to cease organizing rallies and allowing schools to focus on education.
In response to Alam's defiance, the District Secondary Education Officer has forwarded a complaint to the Secretary of Education in Punjab, recommending disciplinary action against the principal for violating government servant rules and the Punjab Government Employees Efficiency and Disciplinary Act 2006.
The officer has proposed initiating a regular inquiry into Alam's conduct, suggesting that the government consider terminating his services due to misconduct.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 23rd, 2024.