St Mary’s School’s response to complaint about principal rejected

The school education officer of the South Zone has rejected the response submitted by St Maryrsquos School ICSE Mazagaon after an explanation was sought from the school management in connection with a complaint about the appointment of the principal who continues to serve in the role despite exceeding the prescribed retirement age in violation of the Maharashtra Employees of Private Schools MEPS Conditions of Service Regulation Act 1977Devidas Mahajan the education officer has issued a stern warning giving the school one monthrsquos time to take corrective action Failure to comply will result in a recommendation being sent to the state school education department to revoke the schoolrsquos recognitionapprovalMahajan said ldquoThe ICSE board itself has stated that schools must follow the rules of the state In their reply the school argued that the complaint was filed by a third party unrelated to the school However even if the complainant is a third party the complaint was verified by my office and found to be true Hence we have rejected their response We have given them time to provide a corrective action plan Failing that we will recommend to the state school education department that their recognition be cancelledrdquoEarlier actionThe school education officer had earlier issued a showcause notice to St Maryrsquos School over allegations that its principal Fr Jude Fernandes 62 continues to serve in the role despite exceeding the prescribed retirement age The notice dated November 29 has sparked a broader debate about adherence to retirement regulations in educational institutions and the motivations behind enforcing such rulesFr Fernandes who retired as the principal of St Maryrsquos SSC School in 2015 was reappointed as the principal of the ICSE section in 2024 The MEPS Act stipulates a retirement age of 58 for school employees including principals Education department officials have clarified that this regulation applies uniformly to all private schools regardless of their board affiliationThe complainantThe issue came to light after Nana Kute Patil a member of the NGO Buland Chhawa filed a complaint with the education department in December In response a showcause notice was issued to the school on November 29ldquoThese schools show no regard for the statersquos rules If they are operating within the state they are obligated to follow its regulationsrdquo Patil said ldquoThey often claim exemptions citing their status as unaided private schools or nonstate board institutions However that is not the case state rules apply to all schools Now they argue that I am an outsider Let me clarify I am a former parent of a student at S Maryrsquos School Moreover as a social activist I have the right to file a complaint Who are they to question my standingrdquo Patil addedEmphasising the need for uniform adherence to the MEPS Act irrespective of a schoolrsquos board or reputation Mahajan stated ldquoThe rules of the MEPS Act and the SS Code apply universally to all schoolsmdashwhether state board unaided private selffinanced or nonstate board institutionsrdquoPrincipalSpeakFr Fernandes said ldquoWe did submit our reply to the education officerrsquos letter I have not yet received a response indicating whether our reply has been rejected or accepted Why is this issue being given so much importance The person raising this complaint appears to have vested interests Such issues are often brought up by individuals with opposing views especially during crucial times like the admission season If required I am more than willing to step down This role is not about personal gain for me I can continue contributing to the school in other meaningful waysrdquoHe added ldquoOur appointments are made in accordance with ICSE rules Across the country there are many schools where principals or teachers are retained or appointed even after retirement age These are management decisions made in the larger interest of the school and its students58Retirement age of all school employees stipulated by MEPS Act