Mohali Headmaster Transferred Over School Mismanagement and Safety Concerns

Mohali Headmaster Transfer: In a swift move following media exposé and administrative probe, Bharat Bhushan Beri, the headmaster of PM Shri Government High School Phase-5, Mohali, has been transferred to Government High School Dadauli in Rupnagar district. The decision came three days after Chandigarh Tribune published a shocking report highlighting missing computers, serious safety concerns in classrooms, and bungling of the Midday Meal scheme funds.

The transfer order was issued by Gurinder Singh Sodhi, Director, School Education (Secondary), on April 21 citing administrative grounds. However, the action appears to be a direct response to mounting evidence and growing public outrage.

Key Revelations That Led to Action

• 22 Computers Gone Missing:
  A departmental probe confirmed that 22 school computers had mysteriously disappeared, raising serious questions about record-keeping and internal oversight.
• Tampering & Forgery Allegations:
  Beri has been chargesheeted in three separate cases involving alleged tampering of school records and forging staff signatures in the order book.
• Unsafe Infrastructure:
  The school, with an enrollment of nearly 400 students, mostly children of migrant labourers, has 18 rooms, five of which are still under construction. Investigators found that RCC (Reinforced Cement Concrete) columns were either missing or below standard, making the structure dangerously unstable.
• Staircase Safety Hazard:
  The narrow staircase to the first floor was flagged as a major risk in case of emergencies, especially since construction was ongoing while classes were being held underneath.
• Midday Meal Scheme Mismanagement:
  Financial discrepancies and misreporting were found in the Midday Meal records, further tarnishing the school’s image and calling into question the welfare of underprivileged students who rely on the program.

Community Shocked, Students at Risk

Parents and community members expressed outrage over the revelations. “We send our children here with trust, but now we are scared. What if something had happened due to the weak construction?” said Sukhwinder Kaur, a local resident and parent.

The school, meant to uplift the educational standards for economically weaker sections, has instead become a glaring example of negligence and corruption in the public education system.

Administrative Cleanup Underway

With the construction now halted and a full-fledged investigation underway, the district education department is expected to initiate further disciplinary actions against those found guilty. Authorities have also promised to complete the infrastructure work only after ensuring full structural safety.

What’s Next?

Education department officials stated that no compromise will be made on student safety and transparency. The case has reignited conversations around better monitoring of government schools, especially those serving vulnerable communities.

The PM Shri Government High School Phase-5 incident serves as a harsh reminder of the urgent need for accountability in our education system. As investigations continue, all eyes will be on the administration to see whether this transfer is the beginning of meaningful reform—or just another face-saving measure.