Students at an aided school on Magadi Road in Bengaluru protested the significant absence of teachers due to their deployment for Special Intensive Revision (SIR) duties. The school, which should have seven teachers, currently has only one, struggling to manage approximately 88 students across multiple classes. This situation highlights a growing concern over the impact of teacher reassignments on regular academic activities in the city.
The diversion of teachers for SIR duties, a program aimed at providing intensive revision for students, has led to a severe staff shortage in many government and aided schools. Reports indicate that in some Bengaluru schools, six permanent teachers have been assigned SIR duties, leaving a considerable burden on the remaining staff. This practice has raised concerns among educators and parents about the potential disruption to the academic calendar and the educational prospects of students, particularly those preparing for crucial examinations like the Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC).
The Primary School Teachers Association has previously alerted the government to the issue of vacant teacher positions, citing over 50,000 vacancies for primary teachers and more than 10,000 for higher education teachers across Karnataka. They have advocated for the appointment of guest teachers to mitigate the impact of such reassignments on student learning. However, concerns persist that arrangements for these essential academic disruptions have not been adequately addressed by the state government, even as schools have reopened for the new academic year.
Education experts and child rights activists have called for more proactive measures from schools and Block Education Officers (BEOs) to address the shortage. The Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR) has also intervened, inspecting schools and ordering the suspension of classes until the official reopening date of May 29, following observations of early classes being conducted during the summer break. Despite these interventions, the issue of teachers being pulled away for duties like SIR surveys, as reported in other districts where teachers have protested assault during such duties, underscores a systemic challenge in managing educational resources effectively.
The practice of deploying teachers for non-teaching duties, such as enumeration or surveys, has been a recurring issue. Educators argue that clerical or administrative staff from other government departments would be better suited for such tasks, as their work often allows for flexibility or substitution, unlike the inherently classroom-dependent nature of teaching. The current situation in Bengaluru, where a large number of teachers are reportedly assigned SIR duties, leaving students with inadequate supervision and instruction, points to a critical need for resource management and staffing solutions within the state’s education system.
The Chenab Times News Desk