Vigilance seeks sanction to register cases over alleged school record manipulation in Kannur

Account subscription benefits alongside Premium Stories, Editorials, Opinions and more. Unlock these with Subscription

The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) has sought government sanction to register cases in connection with the alleged manipulation of student records in several schools in Kannur.

VACB Deputy Superintendent of Police Babu Peringeth has submitted a report to the government seeking permission to register cases under various provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The irregularities were detected during an investigation conducted through direct and indirect verification over nearly eight months.

According to the Vigilance report, student numbers were allegedly inflated mainly to retain sanctioned teaching posts. False entries were reportedly made in attendance registers, admission registers and noon meal records. The alleged manipulation also resulted in financial losses to the government through the distribution of uniforms, textbooks and midday meals to students who were allegedly not enrolled in the schools.

The investigation reportedly detected irregularities in at least 11 schools under the jurisdiction of the Payyannur, Madayi, Taliparamba North, Taliparamba South and Irikkur sub-district education offices. Vigilance has also detected similar alleged manipulation in some schools in the Kannur and Thalassery areas. The investigation covered classes from Lower Primary to Class VIII, and the alleged loss to the exchequer runs into several crores.

According to an official in the department, in several cases, students actually studying in other schools were allegedly shown as enrolled in the schools under investigation. Vigilance officers who verified the addresses of some students could not find such addresses. Attendance was nevertheless reportedly recorded to show that the students were regularly attending the schools.

In one case, a student studying at a Central government school was allegedly shown in the records as a student of another school. A child studying in Kasaragod district was also allegedly shown as enrolled in a school in Kannur district, the official added.

At a school in the Thalassery area, the Vigilance found that 19 additional students had allegedly been shown in the attendance register in a single class. At another school in the Anjarakandy area, students from a neighbouring school were allegedly admitted through false entries.

Headteachers and class teachers are likely to be named as accused in the initial cases. Several schools, including one near Kannur city, remain under Vigilance surveillance. Although several teachers reportedly told investigators that they had resorted to such practices under pressure, Vigilance officials maintained that such circumstances would not exempt anyone from criminal proceedings.

The investigation was conducted by three squads under the supervision of Mr. Peringeth.