Teachers in Delhi’s government schools are once again being deployed for election-related tasks—specifically those linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)—during school hours. This is disrupting students’ education and adding to the teachers’ woes.
**Strict Directive to Attend Meetings at 11 AM**
Despite clear instructions from the Election Commission and the Chief Electoral Officer, teachers are being summoned to administrative meetings during teaching hours. A recent directive issued by the Electoral Registration Officer of Seelampur ordered all BLO Supervisors to attend a meeting at 11 AM on Monday—a time that directly conflicts with school teaching hours. **Warning of Disciplinary Action**
The administrative notice warns that failure to attend the meeting will result in strict disciplinary action under the Central Civil Services Rules. Consequently, teachers are forced to leave their classes to attend these meetings. Teachers state that while they understand the utility and importance of election work, these meetings and the associated travel time severely impact the students’ daily education.
When a teacher leaves for duty, the burden of managing their classes falls on other teachers, causing the entire academic system to falter.
**Delhi High Court’s Stance: Avoid Becoming an ‘Unbearable Burden’**
This situation persists despite clear orders issued by Delhi’s Chief Electoral Officer in July, mandating that BLO duties be assigned to teachers only during holidays, non-teaching hours, or days off.
The matter had also reached the Delhi High Court, where the court advised the Election Commission to remain sensitive towards teachers, stating that election work should not become so stressful that it turns into an ‘unbearable burden’ for them. Despite all these assurances, meetings continue to be held during school hours, and teachers are demanding that election-related tasks be scheduled strictly after school hours. Teachers state that while they understand the utility and importance of election work, these meetings and the associated travel time are severely disrupting the students’ daily studies.
When a teacher leaves for duty, the burden of managing their classes falls on other teachers, causing the entire academic system to falter.
Delhi High Court: It should not become an ‘unbearable burden’
This situation persists despite clear orders issued by Delhi’s Chief Electoral Officer in July, mandating that BLO (Booth Level Officer) duties be assigned to teachers only during holidays, non-teaching hours, or days off.
The matter had also reached the Delhi High Court, where the court advised the Election Commission to be sensitive towards teachers, stating that election work should not be so stressful that it becomes an ‘unbearable burden’ for them.
Despite all these assurances, meetings continue to be held during school hours, and teachers are demanding that election-related tasks be scheduled strictly after school hours.
