Schoolteachers at wits’ end over election duties

Ludhiana, September 16

The Election Commission of India has started preparations for the Punjab Assembly Election 2022. Booth level officers have been sent for door-to-door survey in their respective areas for addition or deletion of names from voters list.

Instructions are being issued by Deputy Commissioners-cum-District Electoral Officers to complete the works assigned by them in a timely manner.

The teachers are in a dilemma over the duties as two departments have issued different instructions and teachers do not know what to do.

The District Education Officer (Secondary) Ludhiana has issued instructions to the school heads to restrict the attendance of the teachers at the respective places of duty and also to follow the instructions of the letter dated August 18 of the Education Department.

On the other hand, the letter issued on August 18 by the Secretary says the teachers posted on the duties of BLO would complete their work related to the election after the school hours.

State secretary, Government School Teachers Union Punjab, Surinder Kumar Puari; patron Charan Singh Sarabha Jagmel Singh Pakhowal; district Ludhiana secretary Praveen Kumar; vice-president Manish Sharma; senior vice-president Balbir Singh Littar; and Tehal Singh Sarabha said these letters from the Education Secretary, Punjab, and the office of the District Education Officer (Secondary) Ludhiana have created a new problem for the teachers to complete the election work.

The teachers said that no clear instruction was given by the District Education Officer regarding the relaxation to them during school hours. Teacher leaders have demanded immediate withdrawal of the letter issued on August 18 and if the Punjab Education Secretary is so serious about education, he should contact the Election Commission of India and exempt all teachers from duties of BLOs. — TNS