Port Blair, June 10: The written test for the post of Police Constables was held today at three centres inside Port Blair city, where more than 4000 candidates had appeared. For a smooth conduct of the written test, the A&N Police had approached the Directorate of Education for deploying teachers for invigilation and also for evaluating the written papers.  Though the written test was conducted peacefully without any flaws, there are allegations made that the Directorate of Education had on purpose posted majority of lady teaching staff for evaluating the papers, which means duty till late night.

It is learnt that around 50 teachers were allotted duty for the written test, out of which majority are ladies. The written test started at 3.00 pm in all three centres i.e. Govt. Model Sr. Sec. School, Govt. Boys Sr. Sec. School and Mohanpura Govt. Sr. Sec. School and concluded by 5.00 pm soon after which the papers were taken for evaluation. Allegations are also made that out of the 50 teachers deputed for the task, majority of ladies were given the duty to evaluate while male teachers were limited to invigilation. The evaluation of the papers started at around 6.00 pm and continued till late night.

Upon being asked, the Director of Education (I/c) Dr. R.N. Prasad told Andaman Chronicle that the decision was taken by the Director and he has no role to play in it. He said that a meeting was held in the Chamber of the Director regarding deputation of teachers, where the Superintendent of Police was present. It was assured by the Police that arrangements would be made by their department to drop the teachers back home after the evaluation process is over.

Prasad on being asked about the Hon’ble Court’s ruling not to depute lady staff beyond 6.00 pm, said that he is aware of the ruling but the decision had already been taken by the Director. The director has gone on a month’s leave and I took charge today in his absence, he said. On being asked whether there is dearth of male teachers for the task, the Director (I/c) said, “Majority of teaching staff in the Directorate are ladies”.   

It is astonishing to note that the Director of Education has preferred to depute lady teachers to work till late in the night, while most of the male teachers were restricted to a two-hour invigilation duty. Has this been done on purpose as is being alleged and whether the move is justified are questions that needs to be answered by the Directorate.