The Kerala government has issued a strict warning to teachers of state-run schools against taking on additional jobs at private tuition centres, citing violations of employment regulations. Education Minister V Sivankutty emphasized the importance of compliance with these rules to maintain integrity within the education system.
During the announcement, Minister Sivankutty stated, "Teachers should not work in private tuition centres." This message signals the government's commitment to professional standards within the state's educational framework. The state plans to implement stringent measures to monitor compliance, with the Vigilance Department leading the oversight effort alongside the General Education Department's vigilance wing.
The minister has urged Parents and Teachers Associations (PTA) to report any instances of teachers engaging with private tutoring services. He described this community involvement as integral to supporting the educational system, emphasizing, "the state's general education sector has flourished with society's support and must continue to do so."
If teachers are found violating these regulations, the consequences can be significant. A senior official from the General Education Department remarked, "Action would be taken against errant teachers based on the rules and norms under the Kerala Education Rules (KER) and the Right to Education Act." This might include cuts to teachers' increments as part of the departmental actions taken for service rule violations.
The commitment to monitoring teacher conduct arises out of a broader concern about educational quality and corruption. While acknowledging the challenge of tracking teachers working at private centres, officials stressed the commitment to maintaining professionalism within the ranks of government educators. "It is not possible to initiate any criminal proceedings against the teachers of the government and aided schools if found working at private tuition centres, but we can take departmental actions against them," the official added.
Notably, the Kerala government is also addressing other discrepancies within the education system. Currently, there is an investigation underway concerning the recent leakage of the Class 11 Christmas examination papers, which reportedly appeared on social media platforms like YouTube. Sivankutty assured the public, "A comprehensive investigation is underway, and there would be no lapses in conducting examinations."
The urgency of this investigation reflects the government's dedication to ensuring fair examination processes. A six-member committee has already been formed to look deeply at the exam leak incident to mitigate any future issues.
While teachers' moonlighting at private tuition centres is certainly not new, the Kerala government's decisive stance marks a significant effort to separate the lines between professional obligations and private tutoring jobs. This focus is indicative of broader efforts to adopt rigorous standards within the education sector as Kerala continues to prioritize educational integrity.
Overall, the state's dual approach of imposing restrictions on teachers’ secondary employment, alongside proactive strategies to safeguard examination integrity, shows its commitment to cultivating a transparent, high-quality educational environment.
With accountability and community vigilance emphasized, Kerala's government hopes to unify efforts to bolster the state's educational framework and maintain trust among parents and students alike.
