The ongoing election process in Punjab is casting a long shadow over the state's classrooms, with widespread academic disruption reported as a significant number of teachers are deployed on poll duty. The temporary reassignment of teaching staff is leaving schools understaffed and students' regular studies in a state of uncertainty, raising concerns among parents and educators alike.
Academic Calendar Thrown into Disarray
The core of the issue lies in the diversion of teaching resources. For the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, a large contingent of government school teachers has been assigned election-related responsibilities, including training sessions and actual poll day duties. This has directly led to the closure of many schools or the suspension of regular teaching activities. The problem is compounded by the timing, as this period is crucial for completing the syllabus before the commencement of annual examinations.
The Punjab Government Teachers Union (GTU) has formally highlighted the severe impact of these deployments. In communications with the state's education department, the union pointed out that the continuous engagement of teachers in election work is severely hampering the academic progress of students. They argue that the primary duty of teachers is to educate, and frequent diversion for non-academic tasks is detrimental to the quality of school education.
Teachers' Union Advocates for a Permanent Solution
The Government Teachers Union is not merely protesting the current disruption but is pushing for a systemic change. They have urged the state government to adopt a more sustainable model for managing election duties. Their key proposal is to create a separate, dedicated cadre of government employees specifically for handling election and census-related work. This, they believe, would insulate the education system from such periodic disruptions and allow teachers to focus consistently on their pedagogical responsibilities.
This demand underscores a long-standing grievance within the teaching community, where educators are often the first to be mobilized for various administrative tasks outside the classroom. The union's stance is that while civic duty is important, the right to education of millions of students should not be compromised year after year during election cycles.
The Ripple Effect on Students and Parents
The immediate consequence of teachers being away on poll duty is the loss of crucial instructional days. With schools shut or functioning with a skeleton staff, students are missing out on classroom teaching, doubt-clearing sessions, and revision classes. This is particularly stressful for students in higher classes who are preparing for board or competitive examinations, where every day of guided learning counts.
Parents are left worried about the learning gaps that may emerge due to this unplanned break. The uncertainty also disrupts the daily routine of families, especially those with younger children who now require alternative care and supervision during school hours. The situation highlights the fragile balance between the democratic process and the fundamental right to continuous, quality education.
The call from the teachers' body is clear: the state must find an alternative mechanism for election duties that does not come at the cost of classroom teaching. As Punjab navigates its electoral responsibilities, the academic cost paid by its students has become a pressing concern that demands an immediate and lasting resolution.
