DTF Alleges Compulsory Deployment of 607 Teachers for Drug Census
The Democratic Teachers’ Front (DTF) has opposed the Ludhiana district administration’s decision to assign 607 schoolteachers to the Drug and Socio-Economic Census, alleging that the deployment is being made compulsory despite official instructions stating otherwise. The protest comes in response to an order issued on July 3 by the office of the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC Urban Development), which directed the District Education Officer (Secondary) to nominate teachers for the survey.
According to the order, the teachers are required to attend a training-cum-orientation meeting on July 6 at the ADC office. They must bring their mobile phones, Aadhaar cards, and bank account details. The survey is to be conducted with the assistance of teachers and booth level officers (BLOs).
Union Leaders Condemn Non-Academic Duties
Addressing a press conference, DTF district president Ramanjit Singh Sandhu and general secretary Rupinder Pal Singh Gill stated that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had come to power promising to free teachers from non-academic duties. However, they claimed that teachers are being engaged in Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercises and the Drug and Socio-Economic Census, which negatively affects teaching. The union alleged that although the government order described the duty as voluntary, the district administration had assigned duties to 607 teachers without seeking their consent.
Sandhu and Gill warned of intensified protests if the issue is not addressed. They emphasized that teachers should not be burdened with non-academic tasks that distract from their primary responsibility of educating students.
Impact on Education and Teacher Morale
The DTF’s protest highlights a broader concern about the increasing non-academic workload on teachers in Punjab. The union argues that tasks like the drug census and SIR exercises consume valuable time that could be spent on teaching and preparing lessons. This, they say, compromises the quality of education in government schools. The Ludhiana administration has not yet responded to the allegations, but the DTF has called for immediate withdrawal of the compulsory deployment order.
