Pathanamthitta: It seems a few teachers in Kerala are not setting the right example for the students as the state government has come down heavily on them for availing 'fake' maternity leaves.
The Kerala government has issued an order asking the teachers to pay back the salary and other allowances they availed during such 'fake' maternity leaves.
In a probe conducted by Deputy Directors of Education (DDEs) across districts, it was found that there was huge gap of several months between the date of delivery and the beginning of the maternity leave.
During investigation, the modus operandi of the wily teachers have come out. The plot is simple. A teacher, who is expected to give birth in April or May (summer vacation period), will not start the maternity leave in those months. Because, during the summer vacation the schools are closed so they need not take the leave then. Then they will apply for maternity leave from June (when the school reopens) and practically avail of almost two months of extra leave.
The DDEs have released the list of such teachers who had submitted wrong information to avail of maternity leave. There are even retired teachers on the list as the government had scrutinised maternity leave documents from 1990.
According to the list, there are teachers who had given birth after the maternity leave. Sources said, they must have applied for the leave earlier as they knew that their delivery would be during the summer vacation period. The government has also asked the teachers on the list to submit their explanations if they have any. Others would have to repay the salary and other benefits in full. Government teachers were entitled for three months' paid maternity leave earlier, then it was increased to four-and-a-half months and now it is six months. A High Court order in 1990 had made it clear that maternity leave should include the date of delivery.
According to sources, thousands of teachers have availed such 'fake' maternity leaves. Officials in the department claimed that the government ended up suffering huge financial losses due to this manipulation by the teachers.
In some cases those who had delivery date in March did not take leave in March, April or May. Instead, they would apply for leave from June and by combining the summer vacation, they would be enjoying leave for five to eight months.
The inquiry was held after a complaint was filed saying that false dates were often given to get maternity leave so that the teachers can club it with the summer vacation.
Action would also be taken against the school chiefs who had approved the leaves. The DDEs have also submitted details of the headmasters who did not verify the teachers' leave applications.
The education department has asked the teachers concerned to repay the money taken as salary, increment, higher grade, pay revision and promotion. The department has also asked the officials to re-structure such teachers' services also. The irregularities will have to be rectified and a report should be submitted to the DDEs before August 18.
The maternity leave is approved with all benefits. It is considered as part of the time in service only. Even for promotions, these period is considered.
The government also suffered losses as it had recruited people on daily-wages to fill in for the teachers on leave.