Inspectors to check age of all school heads

Updated on: Thursday, January 17, 2013

A day after the south zone education department sent a notice to the principal of a Mazgaon school for being over the retirement age, education inspectors across the city have been asked to check the age, education qualifications and years of experience of all school principals in their respective zones.

Balasaheb Mane, education inspector for south zone, said, "We have informed all education inspectors to seek similar information about principals of all schools in their zones. If there are other schools and principals not following the rules prescribed by the state government, we will take action." He further added, "The management of St Mary's High School (ICSE) in Mazgaon is yet to reply to the notice."

Following an RTI query filed by a local activist, it was revealed that the age of principals in many non-state board schools was beyond the limit prescribed by the state government. On Monday, the management of St Mary's High School (ICSE) was sent a notice by the education department, asking them to remove their school principal Fr Kenneth Misquitta, who was past the state government's retirement age. "The notice hasn't reached the school management as yet. I leave the decision to them," said Fr Misquitta.

Parents of current and former students of the school have come forward in support of the principal. "At present, there must be at least 50% schools in the city where the principal is aged over 58. What is surprising is that this RTI application was filed close to the admission season. There definitely seems to be some vested interest behind this notice," said Manish Mehta, parent of a former student of the school. He added that it was the parents who had fought to get Fr Misquitta to head the school in the first place, two years ago.

Other parents added that the age of the principal should be the least of the issues. "What matters is the qualification, experience and expertise of the principal, which in the case of Fr Misquitta is impeccable. He shares a very good rapport with our children and is loved by all. We, the parents, will stand in full support of our principal," said the mother of another student.

Inspectors to check age of all school heads

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