Show-cause notices issued to 2 teachers for leaving WhatsApp group

Aparna Banerji

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, October 12

Show-cause notices have been issued to two teachers in Hoshiarpur for leaving a WhatsApp group of the Parho Punjab Parhao Punjab project.

While the teachers left the group a couple of days ago, they said they were diligently carrying out the works after leaving the whatsApp groups and did not know that a show-cause notice would be issued for the same. The show-cause notices have been issued to English teachers Gopi Chand at GSSS, Hazipur, and Bhag Singh at GSSS, Mazara Dhingra, here.

The notice says: “The Education Department has come to know that the WhatsApp group of the project, started to raise the standard of education, was left by you. It proves you are not interested in cooperating to raise the educational standards, which is a violation of the directions of the official concerned. Then why disciplinary action should not be initiated against you? Before taking action, you are being given an opportunity and a show-cause notice is being issued to you.”

They have been directed to reply within 15 days, failing which action will be taken.

Ram Bhajan Chaudhary of the SSA-RMSA Teachers’ Union, said: “Five teachers were suspended for being a part of the SSA-RMSA dharna. Three others were also suspended. Now, teachers are getting show-cause notices just for leaving a group. This is taking things too far. As far as we are concerned, the government may suspend or issue show-cause notices to teachers, we are not relenting until it increases our salaries.”

Gopi Chand, one of the teachers who have got the notice, said: “I wanted to leave the group. I was engaged in work under the project and am working hard on it. I did not know that the leaving of the group would translate into any kind of disciplinary action against me. I have not personally received the notice yet but I will be going to the school to receive the same.”

Education Secretary Krishan Kumar said: “These teachers are the the officers appointed for the district, voluntarily, they should not have left the group. WhatsApp groups have been made to keep them apprised, and they knew that. For now, only a show- cause notice has been issued.”