A day after he was suspended, Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA) project officer in Kochi, K.M. Aliyar, said on Tuesday that the controversial circular asking teachers to wear green blouses for an official programme, was sent without his knowledge by a group of temporary staff, including a data entry operator.
“I haven’t even seen the said circular. After the controversy broke out we tried to trace the source. It was the handiwork of seven temporary staff, including a section clerk and a data entry operator.
When their term of service ended on June 30, they requested that they be re-instated. But I told them I couldn’t do anything without the state’s order in this regard”, Aliyar told DC.
The SSA official, currently facing a probe ordered by general education secretary Shiv Shankar, said the circular “was not given to the teachers but was released by the said staff who also mailed a copy to higher authorities”.
He welcomed the probe saying he would prove his “innocence” and also consider legal options. A complaint would also be filed to education minister Abdu Rabb.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sankar said a primary probe report was submitted to him. A detailed inquiry would be ordered soon.
The controversial circular had asked teachers to come in green blouses for an official programme at Eloor on Tuesday, which was to be presided over by Mr Rabb. The programme has been put off.