Election Commission exempts Class X and XII teachers from poll duties

In a move that has brought relief to over 1 lakh teachers who are appointed by the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) for exam assessment for Class X and Class XII, the State Election Commission has granted them exemption from poll-related work during the Lok Sabha elections. However, the education department has to provide other teachers to fill in.

In a circular dated March 19, the office of the chief election commission has granted exemption for the teachers who have been appointed as examiners and moderators by the state board.

"Teachers who are appointed by the board for correction of Class 10 and Class 12 papers and possessing letters in that regard from the board will be excluded from election duties."

Teachers have welcomed the move.

"We are extremely relieved that the exemption has been granted and we will now be able to concentrate on paper correction. We would be under tremendous pressure if we had to juggle between the correction and election duty," said Anil Deshmukh, secretary of the Maharashtra Federation of Junior College Teachers' Organisation.

Over 1.1 lakh teachers are involved in the correction of 85 lakh Class XII and 1.02 lakh Class X papers across the state.

However, according to the condition laid down by the commission, the exemption will be granted only after the replacement reports for duty.

"There are over 3 lakh teachers teaching up to Class IX. These teachers can replace them," said an official from the department.

On February 6, the board wrote, "As per the Supreme Court directive, the results for the secondary and higher secondary certificate examinations must be announced before June 5. For this, the board requests you not to avail the services of teachers involved in the exam-related work for the Lok Sabha elections."