Teacher suspended in AP for not responding in WhatsApp on mobile phone while on duty

VIJAYAWADA: Can someone be suspended for not regularly watching WhatsApp on their mobile phone while on duty?

Yes, as per the orders of the District Schol Education Officer (DEO) of Vijayawada in the NTR district of Andhra Pradesh.

L. Ramesh, a teacher at the B.S.R.K.M.C.H School, Mogalarajapuram, Vijayawada was suspended by the DEO for insubordination, carelessness, and negligence of legitimate duties assigned to him by the authorities.

He was suspended for not using WhatsApp and for exiting from the school WhatsApp group. He was allegedly not following the timely instructions given by the higher authorities from April, 22 of this year.

“Hence, it is not possible to pass the instructions to him. as he is not using the phone and he is not able to pass the instructions given by the District Educational Officer and also messages from Principal Secretary sir recently given through WhatsApp to him,” the orders of the DEO dated May 23, 2024, said.

However, Ramesh, submitted that his doctor has advised him not to use mobile and WhatsApp due to his eye problem. But he has not furnished any medical reports in this regard from the Doctor.

“It shows gross negligence, carelessness, and disobedience to the instructions of the higher authorities, grave in nature, lack of integrity and devotion in discharging his legitimate duties,” the suspension orders said.

Based on the report submitted by the school headmaster, the teacher was found guilty under the Andhra Pradesh Civil Services (CCA) Rules 1991. The DEO suspended the said teacher for insubordination.