Pune Private School Teachers Enlisted for Election Duty Sparks Controversy 

In a move that has sparked controversy among educators in Pune, private school teachers have been called upon for election duty following a directive from the Bombay High Court. While some teachers have already been named for duty, others, including principals and staff, are expressing discontent with the decision.

The High Court’s directive came after the Election Commission of India (ECI) sought cooperation from unaided and private schools in Maharashtra to provide staff for Lok Sabha elections duty.  Suhas Diwase, District Collector of Pune, confirmed that private teachers can now be pressed into election duty, marking a departure from previous practices in the region.

According to Diwase, these teachers will undergo three-day training sessions, including one day a fortnight before the election day, the day before voting, and on the actual voting day itself. They will also receive allowances for their service. Traditionally, the ECI relies on a pool of approximately 50,000 individuals for poll duty, including government officers, bank employees, and Central and State employees. However, this year, the commission has expanded its reach to include private school teachers, eliciting a mix of reactions from the community.

While some view this as a civic duty and an opportunity for teachers to contribute to the democratic process, others argue that it disrupts the academic calendar and places an additional burden on educators already facing challenges due to the pandemic.