Karnataka Educators Voice Strain as Census Work Resumes Amid Academic Peak
In Bengaluru, the resumption of the national census process has placed significant strain on government school and pre-university (PU) college teachers across Karnataka. Educators report being overwhelmed as they attempt to balance their primary academic responsibilities with the additional burden of enumeration duties. This clash of duties has prompted strong reactions from teachers' associations, who are urgently calling for government intervention.
Teachers' Associations Petition for Exemption from Census Duties
Multiple teachers' associations have formally requested the state government to exempt educators from participating in the census work. They argue that the timing of the census training and enumeration directly conflicts with a packed and critical academic schedule. The Karnataka State Pre-University College Lecturers' Association and the Government Primary School Teachers' Association have both submitted petitions to relevant authorities, highlighting the unsustainable workload.
Census Training Underway in Phases
The state government has initiated preparations for the census, with training programs currently in progress. Master trainers received their instruction in March. The training for enumerators is being conducted in three distinct phases. The first phase was completed from April 1 to 3, and the second phase commenced on April 4. However, educators contend that this schedule creates an impossible conflict with their teaching and evaluation commitments.
Critical Academic Clashes with Census Schedule
The academic calendar for April and May is exceptionally demanding, creating direct conflicts with the census duties. Key events include:
- Online CET Classes: The Department of School Education has directed PU lecturers to conduct online classes from April 1 to 20 for approximately 25,000 students preparing for the Common Entrance Test (CET).
- II PU Results and Revaluation: The II PU results are anticipated around April 7 or 8, immediately followed by revaluation processes.
- CET 2026 and NEET 2026: The Karnataka Examinations Authority will conduct CET on April 23 and 24. Subsequently, the National Testing Agency will hold NEET on May 3. PU lecturers are deputed for these crucial examinations.
- II PU Exam-2: This examination is scheduled from April 25 to May 8, as per the pre-fixed academic calendar.
"Only PU college lecturers will be deputed for all these tasks. We are under a heavy workload and the government should exempt us from the census work," stated Ningegowda AH, President of the Karnataka State Pre-University College Lecturers' Association.
Primary and High School Teachers Face Similar Pressures
The strain is not limited to PU college staff. Primary school teachers have raised comparable concerns, particularly regarding older educators. Chandrashekara Nuggali, President of the Government Primary School Teachers' Association, noted that a previous request to exempt teachers aged 50 and above was rejected.
"We are requesting them again to consider this case. Many teachers above 50 live with health issues. Such taxing work like household census-taking is too much for them," he explained.
Simultaneously, high school teachers are preparing for the massive task of SSLC (Secondary School Leaving Certificate) evaluation. With exams concluding on April 2, around 70,000 teachers are slated to begin evaluation work from April 8. Results are tentatively scheduled for April 24. Additionally, the results for annual exams of classes 8 and 9 are expected before April 10.
"We are torn between various responsibilities. Our primary duty is to teach and we should be allowed to do that properly. What is the point of lamenting that our children are not learning anything if we are earmarked for other responsibilities?" questioned a high school teacher, summarizing the widespread frustration.
Appeals Submitted to State Authorities
In response to these mounting pressures, the teachers' associations have submitted formal petitions to the Principal Secretary of the School Education Department and the Chief Commissioner of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA). They are urging a reconsideration of policy to prioritize academic functions over auxiliary census duties during this peak period of the educational year.
