DPI issues notices to UT govt schools to stop non-academic duties
Two days after HT highlighted how, in violation of Section 27 of the Right to Education (RTE) Act, government school teachers were being forced to take up non-academic duties, thereby affecting studies of students, the DPI, school, has issued notices to all government school heads, asking them stop the practice.
Chandigarh
Two days after HT highlighted how, in violation of Section 27 of the Right to Education (RTE) Act, government school teachers were being forced to take up non-academic duties, thereby affecting studies of students, the DPI, school, has issued notices to all government school heads, asking them stop the practice.
These heads have also been directed to submit a compliance report to the UT education department by December 31. Section 27 of the RTE Act prohibits teachers from doing work related to Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), school funds, and midday meal.
They can, however, do work related to census, disaster and election (only on polling and counting days).
Talking to HT, DPI (schools) Rubinderjit Singh Brar said, “All government school heads have been asked to comply with the Act and look into the matter at the earliest. Students should not suffer at any cost.”
The directives states, “No teacher should be assigned non-teaching duties at the expense of the period to be spent for teaching purposes. It has come to the notice that some school heads have been disobeying the orders of the department.”
All schools heads have been asked to submit a compliance report by December 31.
Meanwhile, in another Bombay high court order on mid-day meal, a clear reference of Section 27 of the RTE Act has been made to ensure teachers are not engaged in any non-teaching work at the cost of teaching.
Anujit Kaur, Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 16, principal, said, “We have received the directives and, in fact, have already submitted the compliance report.”
Ajay Upmanyu, a teacher at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 38, said, “The department must keep a check on the implementation of the fresh orders. Erring schools must be taken to task.”
Arvind Rana, president, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan Teachers’ Welfare Association, said, “Unlike the last year, we expect all schools to follow the orders honestly and give nonteaching responsibilities to clerical staff. After all, it’s going to benefit students.”