A WhatsApp circular, asking school principals in Chembur to select students from Std IX and XI for election duty on October 21, has thrown parents and teachers into confusion. Though the children are excited, their parents have questioned the directive, saying it is 'weird' to make children work 'long hours'.

"For upcoming Assembly elections, students of Std IX and XI are going to be appointed as volunteers. Considering the number of booths a school will have, each school should send names of two students for each booth. The list of students should be submitted to the office by Monday, October 7, before noon," reads the circular education inspector Mushtaq Shaikh sent on WhatsApp groups of schools and junior colleges in Chembur.