Mumbai: Teachers’ struggle with syllabus, election duties leaves students in limbo!

Teachers feel they will be unable to finish the syllabus before exams in this scenario; advocacy group urges focus on teaching

The dilemma faced by municipal corporation school teachers regarding completing the syllabus amidst upcoming exams and additional election duties, including the Maratha Aarakshan census, has raised concerns about students’ education. The teachers think they will be unable to finish the syllabus before the exam. Mumbai Mahanagar Palika Shikshak Sena has urged the Municipal Commissioner I S Chahal to reconsider assigning election duties to teachers, emphasising the importance of prioritising teaching over administrative tasks.

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K P Naik, president of Mumbai Mahanagar Palika Shikshak Sena, said, “The exams and Lok Sabha Elections are approaching. The teachers are torn between completing the syllabus and election duties.  I am not sure what is more important for the government. Getting election duties done by the teachers or teachers teaching and shaping the newer generations who will be the future of the nation. We’ve written to the municipal commissioner.” He added, “Earlier, we had also written similar letters to the Hon’ble Governor and various officials of the Election Commission and Education Department. But it seems the letters have fallen on deaf ears and the government is not at all concerned with the nation’s future.”

The letter addressed to the municipal commissioner highlights the contradiction between election duties and the Fundamental Right to Education and Teachers’ Rights Act, 2009, citing a Bombay High Court order that restricts teachers’ involvement in tasks beyond general elections and census activities. Concerns about syllabus completion and the impact on student’s education are also highlighted, urging clarity from election officers and penalties for officials infringing on teachers’ holidays. A teacher from a municipal school in Vile Parle requesting anonymity said, “How are we supposed to teach the students if the government is constantly assigning us tasks other than teaching?”

Another teacher from Malad said, “The BMC teachers are always assigned with some or the other work which is not at all related to teaching. We even have to work on Sundays and government holidays. It is not just about teaching but the concepts need to be explained and that requires us to be in the class rather than being on election duty.” mid-day tried to contact Chahal but he did not respond till the time of going to press.

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