It was learnt that the aspirants are using their political connections to secure the post; two of them are allegedly close to Punjab Education Minister Bibi Upinderjit Kaur, while one is a confidant of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.

The post is considered to be quite powerful, as Jalandhar

is a big district and transfers

of teachers are in the hands of the DEO.

Sources in the Education department said the names being bandied about the most and recommended by various leaders included principal of Inservice Training Centre Prithpal Singh, Kapurthala District Education Officer (DEO) Roop Lal, Jalandhar DEO (Elementary) Joginder Das, principals of Nehru Garden Senior Secondary Girls’ School and Junior Model School, Deputy DEO of Jalandhar Baldev Singh and principal of another senior secondary school in Jalandhar.

Besides, employees of the DEO’s office too have been putting their weight behind a particular candidate.

Sources said the Education Minister wanted to appoint the DEO of her choice, but other SAD leaders did not want to let her have her way and apprised the CM of their preference.

The political interference in education has raised the hackles of educationists. One of them said the government earlier interfered in the appointment of the PTU V-C and now was meddling in the district-level affairs.