Surat school principal Sanjay Patel suspended for unauthorised Dubai trips

A school principal has been suspended for travelling abroad multiple times without authorization. The move comes as part of the Gujarat government’s crackdown on teachers in the state who misuse their positions.

According to officials in the Education Department at Gandhinagar, Sanjay Patel, Principal of Snehrashmi School No. 285 in Surat’s Amroli holds a residence visa from the UAE. He is believed to have travelled to Dubai 33 times for “business” without taking the appropriate permissions. The school is run by the Surat Nagar Primary Education Committee.

Minister of State for Education, Praful Pansheriya, stated that Patel had used excuses such as illness to justify these trips and had abused his authority to evade scrutiny.

Patel’s immediate suspension reflects the government’s commitment to addressing such violations, he stated.

Pointing out that cases like that of Patel are the exception rather than the norm, Pansheriya said: "Most teachers in Gujarat fulfil their responsibilities diligently. But there are a few bad apples, like Patel, who risk tarnishing everyone’s reputation."

He added that two teachers in Surat and nearby districts were recently found to be on extended unauthorized leave — one for six months, and one for three months — while engaging in business ventures abroad.

As part of a broader campaign, the Education Department has already dismissed around 60 teachers this year for illegal overseas travel. District education officers have been directed to gather detailed reports on similar cases statewide. The government plans to take swift legal action against educators exploiting their roles for personal gain.