Election-related duties have once again begun affecting academic activities in Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) schools, with the civic body’s education department revising school timings to accommodate teachers engaged in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
As per directions issued by the department, all single-shift primary and secondary schools will function from 7.30 am to 12.30 pm between July 11 and July 29. Schools operating in two shifts will continue with their existing Saturday schedule during the period.
The revised timings are intended to allow teachers serving as Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to spend the latter half of the day on electoral roll revision and SIR mapping work.
Teachers, however, said the arrangement has further reduced classroom teaching time and added to the burden of non-academic responsibilities.
“Most government school teachers remain occupied with BLO and election-related duties for a major part of the day. Apart from teachers, clerical staff and peons are also deployed for election work, making it difficult for schools to function normally,” said a teacher requesting anonymity.
Teachers argued that while the government expects municipal schools to achieve standards comparable to CBSE institutions, frequent deployment of teaching staff for non-teaching assignments makes that goal increasingly difficult.
Educationists noted that repeated diversion of teachers for elections, Census exercises and survey-related work disrupts teaching continuity, lesson planning and remedial support, particularly for students who require additional academic assistance.
The NMC currently operates 113 primary schools and 28 high schools. Its primary schools have a total enrolment of 7,645 students, while 4,729 students are enrolled in junior colleges run by the civic body.
Officials maintained that election-related work is statutory in nature and that school schedules have been adjusted to minimise disruption to academic activities.
Teachers, however, expressed concern that with a significant portion of the academic year already completed, prolonged engagement in electoral work could adversely affect learning outcomes unless alternative arrangements are introduced.
INFOBOX
NMC schools affected
- Revised school timings: 7.30 am to 12.30 pm
- Duration: July 11 to July 29
- Reason: Deployment of teachers for Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls
- NMC schools: 113 primary schools and 28 high schools
- Primary school enrolment: 7,645 students
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