The Education Department has revoked the appointment of 100 block education officers (BEO) following the findings of a committee constituted to examine the appointment process of trained graduate teachers (TGT) to BEO posts.
These appointments, made between January and February 2024, were found to be inconsistent with the provisions outlined in the BEO recruitment rules, which mandate the convening of a Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) meeting prior to making such appointments.
The committee has recommended a review of all BEO appointments through a properly convened DPC meeting, in accordance with the established recruitment rules.
While the department requires internal officers to manage administrative and paperwork-related responsibilities, the selection process must remain transparent and merit-based. Appointments should not be influenced solely by personal connections.
Many appointments to administrative posts are often made based on political and bureaucratic recommendations, where seniority, ability, or merit is not the sole criterion. Those without the right connections often stand little to no chance of being considered for these positions. Such unequal and unfair practices must be discontinued to ensure a more transparent and merit-based system.
The DPC must serve as the foundational step in this process. At the same time, the department should consider establishing a structured cadre for BEO positions, drawing eligible candidates from its pool of teachers.