HMs decide to boycott laptop computers distribution

: Tamil Nadu Government Higher Secondary School Head Masters Association today decided to boycott free latop distribution scheme from the next academic year in protest against the education department asking HMs to pay for missing laptops in their custody
The decision was taken at a meeting of the assocation at nearby Hogenakkal
Free Laptops are distributed under the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's Special Scheme to higher secondary and college students.
The Association in one of the seven resolutions said government should order the officials to distribute laptops through the District collectorate concerned along with the free household articles like mixers grinders and fans.

It urged government to remove 'anomalies' in the Karunakaran Committee's report to look into filling up of District Educational Officer posts. It also requested that DEOs be appointed, by giving promotions to Head Masters only after removing the anomalies.
Association president and treasurer M Ponmudi told PTI that the HMs were taking the responsibility of receiving, safe keeping and distributing these laptops amidst all administrative and academic work pressures.

Lack of security personnel and waiting for VIP's date to distribute the Laptops led to theft of computers in schools in several districts in the past, they said, adding, despite cases being filed, the Educational Department had ordered the Head Masters/Mistresses to pay for the losses.

Many HMs were unable to get pension benefits and some had been kept waiting to get their retirement orders. Though the Directorate had been informed of their problems, no steps had yet been taken by government. Some HMs had moved Court and got a stay against recovery of costs for laptops lost, they said.
A copy of the resolution had also been sent to the Directorate, they added.