Maharashtra government revives Maharashtra Education boards

Mumbai, 20 July-2014(PTI): The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) and nine affiliated regional boards got a new lease of life on Friday when the state government announced the appointment of fresh members after a delay of 6 months.

Maharashtra government revives Maharashtra Education boards

All regional boards across the state including the Pune-based headquarters were lying vacant since February as the 4-year term of nearly 90 members from eight divisional boards had expired. The government, which should have appointed the new members well in advance considering the crucial role boards play especially during board examinations in March, was dithering on fresh appointments, reportedly due to intense lobbying by the ruling party members who were seeking appointment of “own” people.

A government resolution (GR) issued in this regard states the names of over 119 non-government representatives including teachers, non-teaching members, principals and school managers for all regional boards. Members for the parent body (MSBSHSE) are yet to announced.

The boards were being represented only by a chairperson and secretary, both government officials, for the past six months. These babus had a free hand in managing the board’s affairs. As per the rule, each division must have 9-12 members, including all stakeholders. These members constitute the standing committee, tender committee and examination committee which take all functional and financial decisions for the board. Dna had reported this matter in its May 3 edition.

The decision to finalise the names was deferred to avoid any fallout considering the level of dissent within the Congress and NCP ahead of crucial polls despite school education and sports ministry receiving over 200 applications mostly with “recommendation letters” for the 120 posts in the first week of February itself. “The decision which was taken this week was also not easy since assembly elections are just round the corner,” said a senior official with the ministry.

Among the representatives, 19 are Muslims. “This is an unprecedentedly high number, though we don’t have a quota for minorities,” admitted a board official. Many members, including three from the Mumbai regional board, have been given second terms.

Political games
The 4-year term of nearly 90 members from eight divisional boards in the state had expired in February. The government was dithering on fresh appointments, reportedly due to intense lobbying by the ruling party members who were seeking appointment of “own” people for little political gains.