New Delhi: Teachers in Delhi continue to be roped in for duties related to Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls during school hours, educators complain, despite clear directions that poll-related work should not disrupt teaching in classes.A notice issued by electoral registration authorities in Seelampur directed all booth level officer (BLO) supervisors to attend a meeting at 11am this Monday, which teachers said clashed with school hours.The meeting was called for collection of electoral rolls and forms for distribution to polling stations and for discussions on post-draft activities and other SIR-related issues.The notice said all BLOs had to attend the meeting without fail and warned that non-compliance would be viewed seriously and could invite action under Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964.The teachers said the timing meant those of them serving as BLO supervisors had to leave their schools during teaching hours. “Even if the meeting lasts for a few hours, a teacher will take time travelling to and from the venue. Classes assigned to that teacher have to be taken by someone else,” said a govt school teacher, adding that more such meetings are scheduled.Another teacher said election-related responsibilities have continued even as the SIR has moved into its post-draft stage. “We understand that electoral work has to be completed, but meetings and other duties should be scheduled after school hours if the intention is to ensure that teaching is not affected,” the teacher said.The issue had surfaced during earlier stages of SIR as well. In July, the office of Delhi’s chief electoral officer directed district election officers to ensure that teachers were not deployed full-time as BLOs. Citing Election Commission (EC) instructions, it said BLO duties should be assigned during school holidays, non-teaching hours and off days so as to avoid any loss of academic work and should be planned in a manner that did not affect the functioning of their parent department.The issue reached Delhi High Court as well. During the hearing of a PIL challenging their large-scale deployment for SIR work, EC maintained that teachers were being engaged for election-related duties only after school hours and on holidays or non-teaching days.The court asked EC to be “a bit sensitive” towards teachers and directed it and its officers to ensure that election-related work did not cause so much stress that it became an “unbearable burden”.
