Kerala: Operation Eagle Watch unearths graft in government, aided schools

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The vigilance and anti-corruption bureau (VACB) unearthed widespread irregularities and corruption in government and aided schools in a search conducted across the state on Tuesday.
The search, titled operation eagle watch, was launched by VACB in 45 government/aided schools and 15 offices of assistant educational and district educational officers. The search was conducted based on inputs that government/aided institutions were demanding money from parents under various heads like building fund and parent-teacher association (PTA) fund.In some instances, receipts were given.

In its search at Assumption high school at Sultan Bathery in Wayanad, VACB found that school management was accepting Rs 6,000 from each parent in the name of school management samiti, under the cover of a circular from the education department. In another case at GBHSS Thiruvalla in Pathanamthitta, it was found that the management was taking an additional Rs 1,000 from the parents in addition to the Rs 500 being collected towards PTA fund by issuing receipts.
The search also revealed that the management of CMS HSS, Mallappally was diverting PTA fund for other uses. It was also found that in Seethi Sahib HSS Taliparamba, the management was demanding huge sums as donation from students seeking admissions.
The search unearthed Rs 3,17,000 unaccounted money from Muhammadiya HSS, Alappuzha. In the search conducted at St Joseph’s HSS, Kozhikode, it was found that the management was taking money from students towards a society in the name of the school. It was also found that some of the schools were taking more money towards PTA funds, beyond the sum specified by government.
VACB also received a tip that in several schools, there are widespread irregularities in filling up teaching and non-teaching staff posts. In several institutions, either the seniority list is overlooked for money and recommendations and many institutions were delaying the files for filling up vacancies arising out of retirements, with corrupt motives, said the information received by VACB.
The search at DEO office in Cherthala showed that the approval for appointment of teachers at 27 schools were kept unapproved, citing trivial reasons. Top vigilance sources said that a detailed report will be sent to the government based on the findings of the search by recommending corrective measures and action against the wrongdoers.