While the Education department applauded the efforts of teachers by honouring them on Teachers’ Day, a look at the past records of the awardees raises several questions on the selection criteria.

The department had honoured Indu Bala, principal, Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 35, for ‘exemplary contribution to the field of education,’ her controversial status notwithstanding.

Bala is facing enquiries from the Administration for embezzlement of funds in different schools.

She has been accused of transferring nearly Rs 2 lakh from students’ small savings fund during her tenure at GMSSS- Manimajra Complex to the parent- teacher funds in 2007.

It was also alleged that she ‘misused’ Rs 15 lakh from the PTA fund of the school.

Bala was also questioned in 2007 for “preferring a particular bookseller” to buy stationery.

Sources claim that complaints were also filed against her in 2005 when she collected money from students as well as the staff under the Tsunami Welfare Fund, without informing the Administration.

Both the complaints were filed during her term as principal at Government Senior Secondary School, Sector 27.

The Government Teachers’ Union (GTU) had also complained against her for alleging that she had changed the salary account of the staff of the school from Punjab National Bank to Oriental Bank of Commerce, without the consent of the staff.

On the other hand, lifetime achievement award winner Khushwinder Sharma, former district education officer, too is embroiled in a controversy for misappropriation of funds during an excursion trip to Kasauli organised by the department.

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