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Regular-article-logo Friday, 04 July 2025

Census knocks off class

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OUR BUREAU Published 10.02.11, 12:00 AM

Ranchi/Jamshedpur/Dhanbad, Feb. 9: State-run schools are bearing the brunt of the second and final phase of the 15th decadal census process that began from today in the state.

Teachers of government schools in urban and rural areas, deputed to collect census data or the 29-point questionnaire, are unable to take classes, though district administration authorities maintained schools must be open.

In the capital, with larger involvement of government schoolteachers in census duty, the worst hit were students. More than 90 per cent of teachers managed to take classes till 1pm, after which they left for data collection.

Bal Krishna High School vice-principal D.D. Mahto rued regular studies were hampered as all 18 teachers were out. “Our school is getting over by 1pm, instead of the regular 4pm,” Mahto said, but added they took damage control measures such as hiring three teachers.

District education officer S.K. Mishra said studies and midday meals would not be hit as timings were being rejigged. District superintendent of education Pradeep Choubey said schools would stay open.

At East Singhbhum, about 3,014 teachers from primary, middle and high schools have been deputed on census duty till February 28.

“Yes, studies will be hit as teachers will be away. We have to visit each and every house for data. Where is the time to teach?,” asked a Jamshedpur High School teacher.

Kokpara Middle School at Ghatshila sub-division managed with three teachers instead of 11. Principal Bhagat Hansda said studies were affected but school was open for midday meal scheme.

District superintendent of education Sushil Kumar, also district in-charge of primary and middle schools with midday, said schools should stay open even with minimal staff. “If schools are closed, it is wrong. There was no such directive from the administration,” said Kumar.

In Dhanbad district, it was the same story.

Pointing a finger at authorities for the messy situation, Jharkhand Rajya Prathmik Shikshak Sangh general secretary Naw Kumar Tiwari said schools such as Swatantra Bharat Madhya Vidyalaya (Bhaga), Utkramit Urdu Madhya Vidyalaya (Wasseypur), Madhya Vidyalaya (Kacchi Balihari) and Bang Madhya Vidyalaya (Katras) were “teacher-less”.

“They are being run by village education committees and peons,” he said.

Tiwari added the education department had instructed them not to stop the midday meal. “How can a single teacher do all this?” he asked.

But district education officer Rajkumar Singh said they were making plans to run schools with para teachers exempt from census duty.

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