CHENNAI: YMCA College of Physical Education’s reversal of stance in connection with the ongoing fake certificate scandal has put the State higher education department in a spot.
Even before the sensation caused by the arrest of a professor of a government-aided college in Chennai on July 7 could settle down, another teaching staff from the renowned Presidency College has been placed under suspension on similar charges.
According to officials in the directorate of collegiate education, P K Ilango, physical education director (PED) under suspension had allegedly submitted a certificate for a course that never existed.
Ilango was recruited in January 1990 as physical training instructor abd got promoted eight years later as PED. Though a first class in post-graduation (Master of Physical Education - MPEd) is a pre-requisite for promotion as PED, Ilango got himself elevated despite getting only second class marks. (A copy of this promotion order is available with Express).
He reportedly used the provision in a government order dated March 1988, which considered second class degree holders (MPEd) with a diploma in sports coaching on a par with first class degree holders when it comes to promotion.
The teacher had submitted a certificate claiming that he completed his diploma in sports coaching from YMCA College of Physical Education, Nandanam, during 1996-97.
He continued to hold the post until recently when the State authorities cross-checked this certificate with the college in response to a series of complaints, the first of which was filed nearly 20 years ago. “YMCA had written to us stating they never offered this course during the said year based on which we have placed him under suspension,” State higher education secretary Sunil Paliwal told Express.
Based on this, the director of collegiate education J Manjula filed a complaint with Anna Square police two weeks ago. However, it is learnt that no case has been registered. It is pending with the Assistant Commissioner of police (Triplicane).
Meanwhile, YMCA recently did a U-turn, which complicated matters. “Former principal Sheela Stephen mistakenly wrote to the State higher education department without cross-checking the facts. We recently found out from the college’s 1996-97 annual book that YMCA did offer diploma in sports coaching that particular year and we even have photographic evidence to support our claim,” said the incumbent principal of YMCA, George Abraham.
He added that Ilango had spoken and collected a letter from Raja Sheeli John, the then principal of the college who handled his classes back then.
When Express asked the director of collegiate education, she refused to reveal any information in this regard as an inquiry was pending.
However, sources in the higher education department said that corroborative evidence should come from the University of Madras, to which YMCA was affiliated in 1996-97. Despite repeated attempts, Ilango was unavailable for comment.
A senior police official from Triplicane said documents would be collected from both sides before an FIR is registered.