DSE-J seeks DC Jammu's intervention as teachers continue duties as BLOs

S.SHEKHAR

JAMMU: Even as the issue regarding deployment of teachers in "election duty" was duly highlighted by The News Now in its edition dated 17th November, 2017, the teachers of various schools in entire Jammu province continue to reportedly skip their routine duties while continuing their assignments as Booth Level Officers (BLOs) that too during the school time affecting the academics of students.
Meanwhile, taking cognizance of the issue, Director, School Education, Jammu, S. Ravinder Singh took up the matter with Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, Kumar Rajeev Ranjan.
According to reliable sources, the teachers, who have been assigned the duty of BLOs, didn't attend their schools today and continued performing their poll duty.
The teachers mainly from Primary, Upper Primary and Secondary Schools besides very few from the Higher Secondary level have been further engaged for poll duty purportedly on the direction of Sub Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) of respective Sub Divisions in Jammu, which happens to be against the spirit of declaration made by the Minister for Education, Syed Altaf Ahmed Bukhari that teachers are only meant for "academic activity" and they wouldn't be used for any election related duty.
However, taking cognizance of the issue, Director, School Education, Jammu, S. Ravinder Singh has taken up the matter with Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, Kumar Rajeev Ranjan today.
Talking to The News Now, Director, School Education, Jammu, said, "I have taken up the issue with the Deputy Commissioner, Jammu so as to get some remedial measures in this regard.'
He said that "I have told him (DC Jammu) that education of students should not suffer due to engagement of teachers for poll duty and anyhow, if they need services of teachers, it should not be at the cost of education of the students."
"Teachers, who have been further assigned the responsibility of BLOs, they should perform the same before or after the school time and not during school hours," he maintained.
When pointed out that the teachers are continuing with their assignment as BLOs even today, the Director said, "I have categorically raised the issue with the DC Jammu."
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, when contacted, was not available for the comments.
According to official sources, the teachers, who are engaged as BLOs, would be provided with suitable honorarium for the same and if they skip their school duty, they are violating the rules and regulations of the School Education Department.
It may be further recalled that teachers have been engaged for poll duty from November 15-30, 2017, during which they would be visiting door to door in the areas falling under assigned booths of respective Polling Stations in different Assembly segments.
The whole exercise is being undertaken in run up to the upcoming Panchayat and Local Bodies elections in the State, dates for which are yet to be announced by the State Election Department.