To improve learning, Delhi govt teachers told to work an hour extra every week

The circular said that teaching-learning and academic discussions are pivotal activities in schools and must be prioritized over others.

Delhi government school teachers will have to stay back for an extra hour in school one day every week to monitor and plan issues such as assessment of learning gaps and initiatives to improve the performance of weak students.

Teachers have been asked to also work on issues of improving discipline among students. (Sonu Mehta/HT PHOTO)

“The increased duration of an hour is to be used purely for monitoring, planning and discussions (by head of school, vice-principal and senior teachers) with all teachers…,” a circular from directorate of education issued to schools said.

The circular said that teaching-learning and academic discussions are pivotal activities in schools and must be prioritized over others.

The DOE has asked teachers to discuss about, “assessment of learning gaps, strategies to bridge these gaps, maintenance and checking of class/subject notebooks, designing tests/worksheets, preparing lesson plans, inputs about weak students initiatives to improve their performance.”

Teachers have been asked to also work on issues of improving discipline among students.

“Besides, issues such as curbing truancy, and improving discipline and punctuality may be discussed time to time,” the circular said.

The teachers and staff has been asked by the government to stay back for an hour on every Friday. If Friday is a holiday, they will have to stay back the previous working day, officials said.

The Government School Teachers’ Association (GSTA) is not happy with the move and criticized the order. It threatened to organize mass protests if the order is not revoked.

“It is an erroneous decision on the part of officials. If the government starts to treat the teachers fairly and with respect, then teachers can deliver miraculous results in current school timings,” said Ajay Veer Yadav from GSTA.