Chandigarh: At a time when govt schools in Chandigarh continue to face questions over stalled contracts of mental health counsellors and vocational teachers, the education department has warned employees against sharing office-related information with the media, saying such communication adversely affects the department’s “reputation and image”.In a June 11 communication issued by Samagra Shiksha Chandigarh to principals of govt schools and heads of all branches, employees were directed to refrain from sharing official information, documents, communications or office-related matters with the media, social media platforms or any unauthorised person without prior approval from the competent authority.The memo warned that employees found violating the instructions would face disciplinary action under applicable rules and regulations.The order stated that the department had taken note of certain officials “sharing information and making statements pertaining to the office with the press/social media without proper authorisation”, terming it a violation of established norms that adversely impacts the “reputation and image” of the office.The directive comes amid prolonged uncertainty surrounding contractual vocational teachers and mental health counsellors in Chandigarh govt schools, issues that have repeatedly surfaced in media reports in recent months.Govt schools reopened for the new academic session on April 1, but contractual vocational teachers continued to await renewal of contracts well into the term, disrupting classes in skill-based subjects across all schools. With summer vacation having already begun, no formal public announcement on long-term staffing arrangements has yet been made.The delay assumes significance as vocational education has increasingly become a key component of school education. Under the Central Board of Secondary Education’s framework and the National Education Policy, schools have been encouraged to strengthen skill-based learning through vocational subjects aimed at improving employability and practical learning. In Chandigarh govt schools, vocational subjects include information technology, artificial intelligence, retail, beauty and wellness, healthcare and employability skills.However, with contractual appointments hanging in uncertainty, several schools reportedly went without regular vocational classes for much of the academic session before the summer break. Teachers had earlier raised concerns over delays, saying students were being affected at a time when vocational learning is no longer treated as an optional add-on.The uncertainty has also extended to mental health counsellors working in govt schools. The issue has raised questions as student well-being and emotional support have increasingly become central to school education discourse. In recent years, education boards and policy-makers have repeatedly stressed the need for counselling support in schools, particularly amid concerns over exam pressure, anxiety and adolescent mental health.Even as schools highlight student wellness and counselling initiatives, uncertainty over counsellors’ contractual arrangements has persisted, drawing criticism from staff and education observers who question how mental health support can remain effective without continuity in personnel.Against this backdrop, the fresh communication cautioning employees against speaking to the media is likely to invite scrutiny, particularly as unresolved staffing concerns in government schools had increasingly entered public discussion in recent months.BOX- The order states, “The office has observed that some officials/employees are sharing information and making statements pertaining to the office with the press/social media without proper authorisation.” Warning that “no official/employee shall share any official information, documents, communications or office-related matters with media/social media or any unauthorised person without prior approval of the competent authority,” the order warns that any violation “shall invite disciplinary action under the applicable rules and regulations.”BOX- Contractual staff issuesVocational teachers: Govt schools reopened on April 1, but contractual vocational teachers engaged under Samagra Shiksha did not receive timely renewals, affecting classes in skill subjects such as IT, AI, retail, healthcare and beauty & wellness. While officials have informally indicated contracts may be revived from July after schools reopen, no formal order had been issued till now. The delay assumes significance as CBSE and the National Education Policy place vocational education within mainstream schooling at secondary and senior secondary levels.Mental health counsellors: Contractual uncertainty has also persisted for mental health counsellors despite CBSE affiliation bye-laws requiring schools to provide counselling support to students. In Chandigarh, UT administrator Gulab Chand Kataria has publicly pushed student well-being through initiatives including Project SAATHI, launched to strengthen mental health support, emotional well-being and peer engagement in schools. Yet, no formal clarity on counsellors’ continuation had been issued till the summer break.
