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Time of India

Caste census faces early hurdles in Karnataka as teachers oppose deployment

Bengaluru: The state govt's ambitious caste census, officially known as the socio-educational survey, is facing early hurdles, with teacher associations pushing back against plans to rope them in for the door-to-door enumeration. The massive exercise, scheduled to begin on Sept 22, is expected to be completed within 15 days, but staffing challenges threaten to derail the tight timeline. The govt plans to deploy around 1.6 lakh enumerators for the survey, with teachers forming the core of this workforce, alongside ASHA activists and anganwadi workers. However, teacher unions are opposing the move, citing overburdening due to repeated non-academic duties. "Under the provision of the Right to Education Act, the service of teachers is not supposed to be used for anything other than school academic activities and the Supreme Court's order is very clear about it. We are disheartened about the govt's proposal to use them again for the caste census after the just-ended internal reservation survey. We will write to the chief minister and chief secretary requesting them not to deploy teachers to the caste census," said Siddabasappa B, president of Karnataka State High School Teachers Association. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Brain tumor has left my son feeling miserable; please help! Donate For Health Donate Now Undo You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru Earlier this year, teachers were engaged in a door-to-door exercise from April 5 to June 8 for the internal reservation survey aimed at implementing a quota matrix among scheduled castes. In addition, the Karnataka State Election Commission has asked the govt to assign teachers for electoral roll revision. With around 40% teaching posts lying vacant across govt schools, teacher bodies argue that learning outcomes are being compromised. Siddabasappa added, "There are about 45,000 vacancies of teachers cumulatively from primary to high schools out of the sanctioned strength of 1.1 lakh posts." He said the govt must prioritise filling these vacancies instead of burdening the existing staff with non-teaching responsibilities. The teachers' associations had earlier submitted a memorandum to chief secretary Shalini Rajneesh on July 8 and are now planning another round of appeals against the caste census duty. Despite the concerns, govt officials maintain that they are attempting to minimise academic disruption. The enumeration has been strategically planned during the Dasara holidays to avoid overlap with school sessions. Enumerators are to be given Rs 6,000 for surveying 100 households, which may be revised to Rs 8,000. Teachers will also receive earned leave, which can either be encashed or used later. "We are well aware of the Supreme Court's judgement concerning the utilisation of the service of teachers for non-teaching activities. We are planning the survey in such a way that it would affect the academic calendar of schools," said Madhusudan R Naik, chairman of the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes. ——- Quote We have prepared the draft notification and will soon forward a proposal to deploy teachers with the terms of reference for the survey and it will be issued soon. It is always better to use teachers for survey and and the govt will take a final call -Tulasi Maddineni | Principal Secretary, backward classes welfare department