The Indian Express              30.08.2013 

Unclean toilets in schools: PCMC to stop increments of 21 principals

Additional Municipal Commissioner Tanaji Shinde, who heads the
education department, said during an inspection it was found that
toilets in the schools were not fit to be used. “The civic education
office has issued orders to stop increments of these principals for the
next year,” he said.

However, Shinde said if the principals take necessary steps and
ensure that the toilets remain clean, their increment will restored. “We
will inspect the schools again after some time. If the toilets are
clean, we will order restoration of the increments,” he said.

The principals, however, protested the civic body’s decision. “It
is wrong to hold the principals responsible for this. PCMC has
appointed private contractors to ensure cleanliness of the school
premises and toilet facilities. If these private contractors fail to
perform their duties, then they should be hauled up and not the
principals,” said a principal who did not wish to be named.

Shinde said that though private contractors are appointed to
ensure cleanliness, it is the duty of the principals to get the work
done. “The principals have failed in their duty to ensure cleanliness.
They can take corrective action to avoid this situation,” he said.

The action against the principals has irked the standing
committee members who demanded that the civic administration withdraw
from their stand. Members said principals were not responsible for
maintaining cleanliness in the schools. “Their job is about imparting
education. Are they supposed to clean?” members asked.

However, the civic administration said it was necessary to make
them accountable so that they get the work done from the appointed
contractors.

The committee members threatened to adjourn the meeting over the
issue. They suggested that the work of monitoring cleanliness in the
school should be given to the health department and work of security
should given to the security department.

Standing committee chairman, Navnath Jagtap, expressed displeasure with the civic action.

Shiv Sena corporator Aasha Shendge said , “The teachers are given
multiple tasks such as elections and census work. It is not right to
burden them further.”

NCP corporator Mahesh Landge, a standing committee member asked,
“When PCMC has appointed an agency for cleanliness, then why are
headmasters of respective schools being held responsible?”