Chennai: Govt school teachers looking to travel abroad for emergencies, religious or personal visits in the middle of the school term need not endure a long wait for clearances henceforth. School education department has cut down on multiple layers of scrutiny.
Until now, applications by teachers with the purpose and duration of visit, confirmation from the person whom they are visiting, and bond certificates from two co-workers that they would cover the teacher’s classes had to be submitted to district education officers (DEOs) before being forwarded to chief education officers and joint directors.
Hereafter, the applications can be directly sent by school heads to chief education officers. “This applies to high and higher secondary schools, as the headmaster would already be at a DEO cadre. For elementary schools, the applications can be forwarded to DEO and then to the authorities concerned directly,” school education director S Kannappan said. He added that the requirement of bond certificates and other documents is generally not required to be submitted for short-term visits by teachers. “With this circular, such hassles will be completely eliminated,” he added.
Proposals seeking permission must reach the directorate at least 15 days prior to the date of travel. “Some level of scrutiny is good. Though the circular has come out with good intentions, this may increase the number of people leaving for trips midway,” headmaster at a govt school said.
