School principals in Chembur have got a WhatsApp circular asking them to prepare a list of students from Std IX and XI for election duty on October 21. A report in this paper stated that the circular has confused parents and teachers. The former are concerned quite rightly, about their children being on poll duty.

The teachers were usually assigned this task, but right now it is the children, too, who are being roped in. These will be teenagers in the 14, 15 and 16 year age group. It would have also been wise for those in charge to hold a dialogue with principals of these schools as to the duty the children would have to perform at the poll booths.