NEW DELHI, Dec 16: A section of students of the Air Force Bal Bharti School are in a quandary. The Directorate of Education has refused to recognise their documents, including board exam forms and transfer certificates, which have been signed by their Principal, Sushil Walia.As a result, every paper now has to be re-signed by the Chairman of the school before being sent out, delaying matters for the students.Though Walia was appointed the Principal of the school on September 15, the Directorate of Education is yet to recognise the appointment. They have circulated a note to all their subordinate departments, telling them not to accept any form of correspondence signed by Walia.Earlier, the Board examination forms were sent back by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) because they were signed by her. Transfer certificates of students are also being sent back from the office of the education officer (South) with a note to the Chairman that reads: ``As per instructions from the Headquarter of the Directorate of Education, you are requested to issue the school leaving certificate signed by yourself or make alternate arrangements.''``Our representative on the selection committee submitted a difference of opinion note to the Directorate, following which the matter was taken under consideration. No decision has been reached yet and till the matter is decided the candidate in question cannot officiate as the principal,'' says N S Tolia, Additional Director (Schools).In violation of the rules, Sushil Walia continues to run the school, even though teachers have clarified that they will not consider her as the Principal until the Directorate of Education does so. ``It is apparent from her day-to-day functioning that she is not qualified. Her administrative skills are not good. She should never have been called for the interview at all,'' says a teacher, requesting anonymity.A written request for an investigation into the appointment has also been sent by the staff representatives to the Deputy Director, South Zone.Walia, on the other hand, is not aware of the fact that her appointment has not been recognised. ``Which transfers? There was some problem at the Education Directorate level, but that is in the process of being sorted out. There are a few vested interests working against me,'' she clarifies.According to the advertisement placed by the school, the required qualifications for the post included 15 years PGT experience and five years in administrative work. Walia says: ``Everything is in accordance with the rules. My qualifications and age conform to the requirement. Technically I am the principal and the other matters will be settled by and by.''
