Pune: The district administration on Tuesday, February 3, exempted teachers appearing for the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) from election duty in Pune district, offering relief to thousands ahead of the February 7 polls.
The decision was taken as the CTET examination coincides with the Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections on the same day.
Around 3,474 teachers scheduled to appear for the CTET have been relieved of election-related responsibilities. Employees who were earlier deployed for municipal elections and staff from other departments will replace them. Training for the replacement staff will be conducted shortly.
Of the nearly 19,000 personnel appointed for election duty in the district, 16,403 are teachers. Officials said the State Election Commission approved the exemption to ensure teachers are able to appear for the mandatory examination without disrupting election arrangements.
Officials added that the move balances election management needs with teachers’ career requirements, while ensuring the electoral process remains unaffected.