PG from distance mode: SED withdraws placement of 72 teachers as I/c lecturers
The School Education (SED) has withdrawn the placement of 72 teachers as in-charge lecturers in Jammu and Kashmir who have obtained Post-Graduate (PG) degrees through distance mode.
Among others, the School Education Department placed 72 masters/teachers as l/c Lecturers in the discipline of Environmental Sciences with purported PG Degrees in Environmental Science/Ecology and Environment through distance mode from institutions/universities outside J&K vide various government orders.
However, the placement of teachers was subject to certain conditions including verifications of Post Graduate degrees obtained during service through distance mode.
Whereas, in compliance with the above conditions and in response to letter No. Edu-HRM/343/2022-01-SED (7047558), dated 20.10.2022, the recommendations furnished by the Director of School Education Kashmir reveal that the 72 candidates do not fulfil the conditions as laid down in Government Order No. 940.Edu of 2017 dated 17.1 1 .2017.
In this regard an order has been issued by the School Education Department, Principal Secretary Alok Kumar.
In terms of the above-referred government order, the issue with regard to the equivalence of the degree obtained in Ecology and Environment and the Degree obtained in Environmental Science was taken up with the University of Kashmir. In this regard, Dean Academics, University of Kashmir has examined the issue and accordingly following decision was conveyed to this Department vide communication No. PB No. 917/EnvSc dated 11.10.2013, the order reads.
That the PG in Ecology and Environment is a Distance mode degree through franchises and is not equivalent to the corresponding degrees of PG Environmental Science, University of Kashmir Srinagar and hence is not recognised by the university, it reads.
That the PG degree in Environmental Science falls in the science stream (Faculty of physical and material science) where lab-oriented and field practical form the core part of the curriculum which is lacking in the distance mode degrees, it added.
“That neither the University of Kashmir nor the University of Jammu recognises/ or gives equivalence to the distance mode degrees awarded outside J&K except through IGNOU, DOEACC and MANU”, the order reads.
Whereas it has been found from the records that the incumbents have obtained their degrees through distance mode which cannot be considered for the purposes of seniority and promotion or otherwise to the post of Lecturer in Environmental Sciences based upon the observations and deliberations made herein above, it added.
It has also been found that most of the incumbents have obtained such degrees without obtaining proper permission from the Competent Authority, as such the higher qualification acquired by the incumbents in contravention of the rules and regulations cannot be considered for the purposes of seniority and promotion or otherwise to the post of Lecturer in Environmental Sciences based upon the observations and deliberations made herein above, the order reads.
The order further added that therefore based upon the above observations, degree/s obtained through Distance Mode in Science Stream (Environmental Science, Ecology and Environment) cannot be considered valid for the purposes of seniority and promotion. Besides, in view of the above settled legal position, the degree obtained by the in-service candidate without obtaining proper permission from the competent authority cannot be reckoned valid, particularly for the purposes of seniority and promotion.
In view of the above facts and circumstances, the placements/postings in respect of 72 masters/teachers as are hereby withdrawn ab-initio. The incumbents are reverted back to their substantive posts and shall continue to be posted at the same place of posting against the available substantive post of Teacher/Master, it added.
