The Orissa High Court criticized the Odisha government’s deployment of teachers for non-teaching duties in late December. The court stated this practice violates students’ right to education. The bench directed the state to file an affidavit detailing teacher assignments.
The High Court heard a public interest litigation (PIL) in late December. The PIL highlighted systemic issues affecting schools throughout Odisha. Bijaya Ram Das, a local organization secretary, filed the petition through advocate Anup Kumar Mohapatra.
Court’s Observations on Teacher Deployment
The petition cited a specific case in Cuttack district. An upper primary school with 112 students has only three teachers, including the headmaster. This shortage stems from frequent deployment of teachers as Cluster Resource Centre Coordinators (CRCCs).
A division bench, comprising Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice M.S. Raman, noted teachers spend nearly half the month on CRCC duties. This extensive deployment disrupts regular classroom teaching. The bench emphasized that these are not isolated incidents, but a recurring practice in government schools across the state.
Violation of RTE Act
The court referenced Section 27 of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009. This section specifies teachers cannot be assigned non-educational work, except for limited circumstances defined by law.
The state argued that CRCC duties aim to improve education quality. However, the court countered that such initiatives must not undermine classroom instruction. The court suggested these duties occur after school hours or during holidays, aligning with legislative intent.
Government Directed to File Affidavit
The High Court ordered the Odisha government to file an affidavit. This document must detail the number of CRCCs, their working hours, teacher participation in these roles, and related executive instructions.
The court will hear the matter again on January 13 . Broader directions may follow based on the state’s response.
Broader Context: Non-Teaching Work in Other States
Non-teaching work involving thousands of teachers extends beyond CRCC duties. In multiple states, teachers are engaged in election-related tasks, such as the Election Commission of India’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Primary and secondary school teachers in states like West Bengal, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu serve as booth-level officers (BLOs). This work forces them to leave classrooms for long hours. They conduct door-to-door verification, fill forms, and upload data under strict deadlines using glitchy applications.