Riyaz Bhat
Srinagar, Mar 16: School Education Department has granted post facto approval to those teachers and other staff of the department who have acquired higher qualification through distance or online mode while being in service without any approval from the competent authority.
The department in an order said that it was a onetime exemption in favor of teaching and other staff of School Education Department who have acquired higher qualification during service through distance or online mode without obtaining prior permission from the administrative department.
The Administrative Secretary School Education Department Piyush Singla said, “The issue is related to accord of permission in favor of teaching and other staff of School Education Department who have acquired higher qualification during service through distance or online mode without obtaining prior permission from the competent authority i.e. administrative department, which has now become impediment in finalization of seniorities in various disciplines and cadres.”
Singla in the order further said that it has observed that there are a number of incumbents who have acquired their higher qualification without obtaining prior permission from the competent authority “The cases were further examined in light of government order issued in 2012 and 2017 regarding the validity of degrees obtained through distance mode,” reads the order.
School Education Department further said that the matter was taken up with the finance department for opinion. The finance department in 2023 returned the case file with certain observations and relevant part.
“School Education Department may regularize the permission granted to the teachers for acquiring higher qualifications through distance mode or online mode in terms of circular instructions issued by the Finance Department in the year 2022,” it reads.
The order further reads that the finance department had said the permission should be granted only if the Universities or institutions are recognized by the UT Government. “The courses are recognized. Proper entries of the leave availed for the duration of the examinations are recorded in the service book of the teacher.”
“Sanction is accorded to grant one-time exemption in favor of teaching and other staff of School Education Department who have acquired higher qualification during service through distance or online mode, as on date without obtaining prior permission from the competent authority i.e.
Administrative Department subject to the fulfillment of conditions as conveyed by Finance Department,” it reads.
The order further states that no case for post-facto permission for acquiring higher qualification shall be entertained by the Department henceforth, and only prior permission cases shall be decided as per set procedure or norms.
