The Calcutta High Court on Friday questioned the West Bengal government's decision to deploy government school teachers for Census-related work, observing that assigning such duties after school hours could leave teachers with little time for their regular responsibilities and personal obligations.

Justice Krishna Rao was hearing pleas challenging the deployment of government school teachers for Census work.

During the hearing, the Court expressed concern over the practical difficulties faced by teachers who are required to undertake Census-related duties after completing their school hours.

“School gets over at 4pm, teachers have to reach home. The Census work is not near the school... weekend they only have Sunday. This is troubling me,” the Court observed.

'They Can Either Do School Work Or Census Work'

The Court noted that the authorities had issued a bulk order assigning Census duties to teachers.

It observed that while the teachers were willing to undertake the additional responsibility, they could not simultaneously be expected to perform their regular teaching duties and Census work without an appropriate arrangement.

“They are saying they are ready but they can either do school work or Census work. And they want the Census work to be treated as on duty... obviously,” the Court remarked.

The Bench suggested that instead of deploying all teachers, a limited number of teachers from each school could be selected for Census duty.

“It should be 5-6 teachers per school so the others can be used for teaching...you have passed a bulk order,” the Court said.

The Court also indicated that such an arrangement would ensure that regular academic activities in schools are not adversely affected.

It made clear that the State must make suitable administrative arrangements so that such deployment does not disrupt the functioning of schools.

“Yes there is RTE, but you (State) also have to make arrangement of half day or pick selected teachers for Census duty,” the Court observed.

The Court's observations came in the backdrop of the petitioners' contention that teachers are already required to complete their regular school duties and are thereafter being asked to undertake Census-related work, including at locations away from their schools.

The Bench also considered the limited availability of weekends for teachers, noting that Sunday is effectively the only weekend day available to them if Saturday is utilised for such assignments.

After the Court's observations, ASG Dhiraj Trivedi appearing for the State sought time to obtain instructions on the issues raised during the hearing.

The Court consequently adjourned the matter and directed that it be taken up on Tuesday.