NEW DELHI – Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood on Tuesday vehemently denied allegations that school teachers have been assigned duties related to managing stray dogs. Addressing a press conference, Minister Sood asserted that no official order or directive has designated teachers for such responsibilities, directly challenging the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to provide evidence.
Minister Refutes Dog Duty Claims
Minister Ashish Sood explicitly rejected claims circulating on social media regarding teachers handling stray dog issues. He stated, “No specific role has been assigned to school teachers in matters related to stray dogs.” These claims, according to Sood, originated from AAP leaders.
The minister accused the AAP of deliberately spreading misinformation. He alleged, “The Aam Aadmi Party leaders have been spreading misinformation on social media claiming that teachers were being diverted from their academic responsibilities for non-teaching duties.” Sood emphasized that the Delhi government has not issued any such order or circular.
To substantiate his denial, Sood publicly challenged the AAP. He urged the party to present any official document proving their claims in the public domain. This challenge underscores the seriousness with which the education department views the allegations.
Directorate of Education Clarifies Roles
The Directorate of Education (DoE), the primary administrative body for schools in the national capital, has provided further clarification. On Monday, the directorate issued an official statement addressing the matter directly.
The DoE confirmed that it had previously directed schools to appoint specific “nodal officers.” These officers are tasked with handling issues concerning stray dogs around educational institutions. This directive ensures a designated point of contact and responsibility within schools for animal management.
Crucially, the DoE’s statement explicitly distinguished between these nodal officers and teaching staff. The directorate’s clarification read, “No directions have been issued by the Directorate of Education concerning the assignment of specific duties to teachers.” This ensures that the primary focus of teachers remains on academic instruction.
Compliance with Supreme Court Order
The directive for appointing nodal officers stems from a Supreme Court order. The Supreme Court had issued a mandate requiring appropriate measures to manage stray animals, particularly in sensitive areas like schools. The DoE’s instruction to schools is a direct compliance measure with this judicial order.
The appointment of nodal officers ensures schools comply with legal requirements while safeguarding the educational environment. These officers are responsible for coordinating with local authorities or animal welfare organizations. Their role is to address stray dog concerns without diverting teachers from their core duties.
Pattern of Allegations
Minister Sood highlighted that this is not an isolated incident of alleged misinformation. He stated that the AAP has made similar claims on several occasions recently. These past allegations, according to Sood, involved various administrative actions and school-related instructions.
Sood described all these previous claims as “incorrect.” This pattern suggests an ongoing political disagreement regarding the administration of Delhi’s education system. The minister’s remarks indicate a perceived effort to undermine the government’s initiatives.
AAP’s Silence
As of the time of the press conference, there was no immediate response available from the Aam Aadmi Party. The party has not yet commented publicly on the specific allegations made by Education Minister Ashish Sood regarding the alleged spread of misinformation about teachers’ duties. This lack of immediate comment leaves the allegations unchallenged by the AAP.