BMC orders 2,000 teachers to take on poll duty | Mumbai News
BMC orders 2,000 teachers to take on poll duty | Mumbai News
The Education Department of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued orders to 2,000 teachers, instructing them to take on the duties of block level officers (BLO) for election-related work. According to the orders, teachers are required to spend three days a week on BLO duty and the remaining three days in school.
With the academic year underway, teachers have expressed concerns about being away from schools for half of the working days. “The new academic year began in June, and most schools are currently conducting first unit tests. Intensive teaching is happening, and now we are asked to report for BLO duty,” said a teacher. The teacher also noted that this was unfair to students, especially since many schools are already struggling with a shortage of teachers due to delays in appointing new staff.
The orders, issued on August 15, specify that teachers are to perform their BLO duties on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays while they are to be present in school from Mondays to Wednesdays. All 2,000 teachers assigned to BLO duties were instructed to report to their allotted localities by 3 pm on Friday.
Frustrated by the situation, teachers have reached out to Anil Bornare from the BJP Teachers’ Association. “Despite the availability of ample government staff, teachers are repeatedly tasked with election duties. These sudden orders came as a shock, requiring immediate compliance and specifically asking teachers to stay away from schools for three days a week. This results in a significant academic loss for students,” said Bornare, who has urged the BMC Education Department to reconsider and withdraw the orders, emphasising that “2,000 teachers” was a substantial number.
BMC education officer Raju Tadvi was unavailable for comment.
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