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The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday questioned the lack of coordination between the Centre and the West Bengal government over the deployment of government school teachers for Census-related work, observing that contradictory directions on teachers' school hours and Census duties could adversely affect regular academic activities.

Justice Krishna Rao was hearing petitions concerning the deployment of government school teachers for Census work. The Court noted that while the Census authority had fixed the working hours for the exercise from 9 am to 4 pm, the State government had directed teachers to undertake the work after school hours and on weekends.

“Why is the Centre and state not consulting (with each other)? How will the state function?” Justice Rao asked, seeking an explanation from the West Bengal government regarding the apparent conflict between the directions issued by the Centre and the State.

The State's counsel submitted that the government was bound by its obligations under the Right to Education Act and that teachers could not be permitted to remain away from classrooms during school hours.

Justice Rao, however, emphasised that a balance would have to be maintained between the Census exercise and teachers' primary responsibility of imparting education.

 'When will they teach in school, and when will they go home?'

The Court noted that the State had not yet furnished complete details regarding the exact number of teaching and non-teaching staff deployed for Census-related duties.

Questioning the practicality of requiring teachers to perform Census work outside their regular school hours, the Court observed that school hours generally extend from 10 am to 4 pm.

“When will they teach in school, and when will they go home?” Justice Rao asked.

The Court further observed that teachers could not reasonably be expected to undertake additional Census duties on their days off, particularly when they were already required to discharge their regular academic responsibilities during school hours.

Justice Rao suggested that instead of deploying teachers on a large scale, the administration could consider a more balanced arrangement under which only a small proportion of staff from each school would be assigned Census duties, while the remaining teachers continued to conduct classes without disruption.

The Court also suggested considering personnel from municipalities, panchayats and other government establishments, including non-teaching staff, to reduce the burden on school teachers.

Centre Says State Officials Needed For Month-Long Census Work

Additional Solicitor General Dhiraj Trivedi, appearing for the Census authorities, submitted that the Centre required officials from the State government for approximately one month for the Census exercise.

He submitted that it was not material whether such personnel were drawn from municipalities or schools. However, if teachers were deployed, a specific arrangement would have to be worked out since the Census schedule clashed with regular school hours.

The ASG further informed the Court that although the authorities were targeting completion of the Census-related work within a month, the period could be extended if necessary.

The Court thereafter adjourned the matter till Wednesday after the State counsel sought time to obtain instructions from the authorities.

The proceedings come amid concerns over the use of government school teachers for administrative assignments outside their primary educational responsibilities, with the Court stressing that the Census exercise and regular schooling must be able to proceed without one compromising the other.

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