80% govt school teachers roped in for election duty

BHOPAL: With almost 80% of schoolteachers busy with Booth Level officer’s (BLO) duty in the state slated to go to polls by the year-end, students of different grades in this government-run school on old Jail premises are forced to share the same classroom. Out of 45,654 government teachers across Madhya Pradesh, 41,340 have been appointed as BLOs for over 65,200 polling stations.

Studies in Shaskiya High School Tatya Tope at Arera Hills, which was set up in 1958, Bhopal, have taken a knock. The school has 143 students in its primary wing, 140 in middle and 86 students in higher secondary wing. Some 19 permanent teachers are working in this school, but 60% of them are deputed as BLOs.
A visit to school revealed only two teachers were taking classes and managing almost 370 students of different grades. There was no option, but to make students from three classes sit together.
The other teacher also no choice, but to take classes one after the other in a row to teach students of class 9 and 10.
“Future of these kids hangs in the balance as teachers have been deputed for BLO duty. I feel frustrated because we have to manage classes by combining children of different grades,” said a teacher, who wished not to be named.
“It is not only students, who are at the receiving end, but teachers also feel immense pressure and are overburdened,” the teacher said.
“Quality of education has taken a knock. While one batch of students belonging to Class 6 may feel promoted, others in Class 7 just feel demoted, which is unfortunate, but beyond our control,” said another teacher.

Rupali Pradhan, head master of middle wing of school agreed. With many teacher busy with BLO duty, official meetings or trainings, the remaining teachers feel extra burden, she said.
“I cannot deny remaining teachers are working hard as others are on BLO duty. But our teachers leave no stone unturned to give their best. They face hardships, but then we have no other option,” she said. However, this is not the only school to face such problems, most the government schools in Bhopal opens to only 50-60% attendance on daily basis owing to acute shortage of teachers, which has gradually led to disinterest in studies among students.
Agreeing to the issue, district education officer (DEO) D K Sharma told TOI students attendance in schools has remained low since the commencement of new academic session due to lack of teachers.

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