Karnataka Council Chairman Directs Local Census Duty for Teachers to Address Concerns
In a significant move, Karnataka legislative council chairman Basavaraj Horatti has issued a directive to Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) commissioner Rudresh Ghali, mandating that high school headmasters and assistant teachers be assigned Census duties exclusively within the areas where they are employed. This decision comes in response to mounting complaints from educators about logistical and safety challenges.
Rural Teachers Deputed to Urban Areas Spark Controversy
Horatti highlighted a critical issue where a majority of rural high school teachers in the district have been deputed for Census work in Hubballi city. This practice has created substantial difficulties, particularly for women teachers, due to long travel distances and safety concerns. The matter was brought to Horatti's attention by Vanamala Hegde, a representative of teachers, who explained that poor public response during previous socio-educational and caste surveys in urban areas led authorities to heavily rely on teachers from rural regions.
Teachers' Associations Urge Exemption from Census Duties
During a meeting, Narayan Bhajantri, district president of the Karnataka State High School Assistant Teachers' Association, submitted a memorandum urging authorities to exempt high school teachers from Census duties at this time. He emphasized that teachers are currently engrossed in key academic responsibilities, including SSLC examination work and assessments for classes 8 and 9. Retired teacher Chidambar Joshi echoed these sentiments, stating that teachers form the backbone of the academic system, and assigning them Census duties disrupts regular teaching and assessment processes.
"Teachers are deeply involved in conducting examinations, evaluating answer scripts, and handling essential academic tasks. Diverting them for Census duties at this stage can affect students' performance and delay crucial academic processes," Joshi noted. He added that the problem is more acute during the SSLC examinations, a critical milestone for students, where any additional responsibility risks compromising efficiency and integrity.
Logistical and Safety Issues for Women Teachers
Teacher Shwetha Nayak pointed out that deploying rural teachers in urban areas leads to significant logistical difficulties. "Long-distance travel increases time and costs, and reduces efficiency. For women teachers, travelling to unfamiliar locations also raises safety and accessibility concerns," she said. Given these challenges, she suggested it would be more practical for authorities to deploy dedicated Census staff or temporary enumerators. This approach would ensure the smooth functioning of the education system while maintaining the effectiveness of Census operations.
Implications for Education and Census Efficiency
The directive from Horatti aims to balance the needs of the Census with the academic responsibilities of teachers. By keeping Census duties local, it seeks to mitigate travel burdens and safety risks, especially for women educators. This move underscores the importance of supporting teachers during critical academic periods, such as exam seasons, to prevent disruptions that could impact student outcomes. Authorities are now tasked with implementing this order to foster a more efficient and teacher-friendly approach to national surveys.
