Transfer buzz over school education Secretary draws flak

Amidst strong rumours about the imminent transfer of School Education Secretary, a section of political party leaders and activists have warned the State government against any such move.

CHENNAI: Amidst strong rumours about the imminent transfer of School Education Secretary T Udhayachandran, a section of political party leaders and activists have warned the State government against any such move.

They have alleged that Udhayachandran is being shunted out due to pressure from lobbies representing private schools, which feel threatened by the recent measures taken to strengthen government schools.

Ever since his appointment in May, the school education department has taken many bold steps, including abolition of ranking system in board exams, revamping of State Board syllabus and introducing board exams in Class XI.

While the process of framing the new syllabus is underway, there is a strong buzz that Udhayachandran would be transferred out. While there is no official word on the issue, the it has drawn opposition from a few quarters.

“If he is transferred, it should be seen as an attempt to spoil the efforts to improve the State Board syllabus,” said P B Prince Gajendra Babu, general secretary of State Platform for Common School System.
He alleged that many private schools, which feel threatened about their commercial interests, are putting pressure to transfer Udhayachandran from the post. A better State Board syllabus would attract more students towards government schools. “The Tamil Nadu government should not commit the mistake of transferring him,” he said.

In his statement, PMK founder S Ramadoss claimed the State government was making efforts to transfer him because Udhayachandran always stood against corruption. He said any move to transfer the officer within five months of appointment would be condemnable. He recalled how Udhayachandran was instrumental in upgrading 100 high schools into higher secondary and 150 middle schools into high schools. “This transfer will affect reforms. For development of any country, education is foundation.”

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