Field-level edu officers get disciplinary, admin powers

Accordingly, Chief Educational Officers (CEOs), who were given additional responsibility, will have the power to administer all kinds of government schools, including those at the panchayat level. Similarly, the CEOs will also inspect other board schools affiliated to the CBSE and ICSE.

The CEOs may also initiate action against schools which violate the provisions of the RTE Act, monitor fee collection by the schools as per the norms and the conduct of annual inspection of district education officers.

The CEOs will also recommend the opening, closure and recognition of schools. “He/she will have the authority to approve the appointment of headmasters, headmistresses and equivalent posts in high schools under the Tamil Nadu School Education Service,” a government order said.

The officials, who have been accorded the authority to fix the staff strength of all government schools, besides reviewing annual confidential reports of district education officers, will also have the power to transfer teaching and non-teaching staff, besides looking into the retirement benefits of teachers.

At present, officials in the district level are involved in appointing individuals in various categories in government schools.

“As these officials have substantial work in their own offices, it is not only difficult but also virtually impossible to monitor performance and exercise disciplinary power over such a huge number of staff across the state,” the government order said.