akanksha.attri@hindustantimes.com
Government schools across Ludhiana are grappling with a shortage of teachers as a large number of educators have been deployed for the socio-economic and drug census, forcing several schools to merge classes and disrupting regular teaching.
The latest deployment comes even as many teachers are already engaged in Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and booth-level officer (BLO) duties, leaving school heads struggling to maintain normal academic activities just days after the reopening of schools.
In a letter issued on July 8, the additional deputy commissioner (urban development) directed the district education officer regarding the deployment of government schoolteachers for socio-economic and drug census. As part of the exercise, a mapping and training session for 553 teachers was scheduled on Thursday. They were instructed to attend the training with their relevant certificates and ensure their presence.
School heads said the repeated deployment of teachers for non-academic assignments is severely affecting classroom learning. Pardeep Kumar, principal of Government Model Senior Secondary School, PAU, said the situation had become extremely difficult to manage. “Twenty-six members of my staff are already engaged in SIR and BLO duties. Now, 113 teachers, including me, have been assigned drug census work. Out of a total sanctioned staff of 137, it has become impossible to run the school smoothly. We are managing by clubbing classes because the concerned teachers are unavailable. It is complete chaos,” he said.
Dharamjeet Singh Dhillon, district president of the Lecturer Cadre Union, said the administration had initially sought volunteers for the census work by offering remuneration. “When the response was limited, teachers were assigned duties. Academic responsibilities remain our priority. Schools cannot function effectively if teachers are repeatedly diverted for administrative work. At least 50% of the teaching staff should remain available in schools to ensure regular classes,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}Dharamjeet Singh Dhillon, district president of the Lecturer Cadre Union, said the administration had initially sought volunteers for the census work by offering remuneration. “When the response was limited, teachers were assigned duties. Academic responsibilities remain our priority. Schools cannot function effectively if teachers are repeatedly diverted for administrative work. At least 50% of the teaching staff should remain available in schools to ensure regular classes,” he said.
{{/usCountry}}Deputy district education officer (elementary) Manoj Kumar, however, said that the assignments were part of government duty and teachers were required to perform that despite the operational challenges, adding that the department understands the difficulties faced by schools. Still, some teachers continue to resist joining the assigned census duties.