July 9: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation will soon initiate action against three officials of the education department for irregularities in the functioning of an admission centre at Fort.The centre was opened in May to help parents get their children admitted to private primary schools. Each civic ward had had opened one such centre.

An enquiry conducted by the corporation has revealed that the three officials were largely responsible for the hardships caused to the parents , S S Madhav, Pandey and the clerk of the centre. Additional municipal commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad told Express Newsline that he has ordered an inquiry adding that it will be conducted by the superintendent in charge of private primary schools, Leena Kapadia.

A large number of parents had complained against the officials who were charged of arrogant behaviour, improper guidance and issuing of recommendation letters for schools which had no vacancies.

Education committee chairperson Nita Naik had visited the Fort admission centre following complaints from parents. She found the irregularities and made a written complaint to Gaikwad.

``The parents complained that the centre officials did not give authentic information regarding vacancies in schools,'' said Naik She said that the centre had issued admission orders to Alexandra Girls High School though the parents had informed in advance that there are no vacancies in the primary sections. Similar orders were issued for St Joseph High School, Umerkhadi. Parents were sent back by the schools after waiting in the queues for long hours, said Naik and added that the list of the students recommended by the centre were not sent to all the schools in time.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.