St Xavier’s principal gets a second warning

In a swap at the top in 2010,Dias,principal of St Mary’s,was transferred to St Xavier’s and Father Pinto,principal of St Xavier’s since 1998,was shifted to St Mary’s.

The education department said the two Jesuit institutes were run by different managements/trusts and government rules allowed transfers only between schools run by the same management.

It said the schools should have made fresh appointments and termed the swap illegal.

St Xavier’s challenged the order in Bombay High Court (HC),which directed the education inspector (south zone) to take a decision in accordance with law.

In the latest notice that follows the HC order,the education department said in reply to its previous notice,the school management said it had filed a writ in HC justifying the appointment.

“The court has neither passed an interim order nor has it directed the department to allow Dias to continue. Dias should step down with immediate effect,” said Babasaheb Mane,education inspector of south zone.

He said,“We rejected the proposals,but the school managements still appointed Dias and Pinto. We will not approve salary grant applications and other important documents signed by Dias. We have authorised another senior teacher of the school,so that students do not suffer.”

Dias could not be reached despite several attempts.