DC impact: Cherthala school in dock, says AEO
The coupons were sold not only through girl students but also through teachers and PTA members.
ALAPPUZHA: The sale of lucky draw coupons worth Rs 50 each by the Government Girls Higher Secondary School, Cherthala, was in violation of rules. Moreover, sending the girl students to nearby houses for selling the coupons was a grave offence, according to the report of an inquiry conducted by the assistant educational officer, Cherthala, into the issue. The inquiry report was received by Mr K. Kannan, an education activist, in reply to an RTI petition last week. DC had published a report in this regard on August 14 titled ‘Lucky draw at govt school raises eyebrows.’
The AEO’s report said the School Management and Development Committee (SMDC) had taken the decision to raise funds through lucky draw coupons at a meeting held on February 10. The management printed coupons worth Rs 50 each in the serial numbers beginning from 10,000 to 25,000 and collected Rs 1,58,050. The coupons were sold not only through girl students but also through teachers and PTA members. Many girl students were forcefully sent to local residents to sell coupons. “It’s a huge lapse by the school authorities,” the report said.
The lucky draw offered prizes consisting of motor cycle (first) , flat TV (second) and refrigerator (third). But the management gave up the project when it became controversial. The money collected was deposited in the joint account of headmaster K.V. Peter and president of Parents- Teachers Association in the town cooperative bank, Cherthala. The counterfoil and unsold coupons remain in the possession of the headmaster and he was asked to appear before the AEO.
Though there was no misappropriation of funds, the project was planned and executed without informing the AEO. The DPI had ordered in June 2012 that the AEO offices concerned should be informed about any funds collected by school management committees. Earlier, headmaster Peter told DC that they opted for the coupon sale as the government had not provided maintenance fund for the school infrastructure.