Circular limits teachers' leaves for paper checking: Mumbai Divisional Board

The Mumbai Divisional Board has asked all city school principals to not give a holiday to teachers who are examiners and moderators and are supposed to give first preference to checking answer sheets of Secondary School Certificate (SSC) and Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) students.

However, this has not gone down well with the teachers' community that has expressed disappointment towards such pressure tactics from the board.

Recently, the Mumbai divisional board secretary Dr Subhash Borse had issued a circular for all city school principals. The circular stated that it had come to the notice of the Mumbai Divisional Board that teachers who are examiners and moderators are being given other work by principals and being kept busy.

"These examiners and moderators are giving second preference to the answer paper checking of the board that has come to the notice of board," stated the circular. The board has reminded schools and colleges that as per a Bombay High Court order, it is important to declare the board results on time.

Rajesh Pandya, Vice President, Teachers Democratic Front, said, "It is not correct on the board's side to put such pressure on teachers. Applying for leaves is our right. What if a teacher faces a medical emergency or a personal emergency. The Board cannot stop us from taking any kind of leaves. We are simultaneously checking papers of SSC and HSC students and preparing report cards of our school students as well. The board should not play any pressure tactics when we are cooperating with them in giving their results early."

Borse, said, "This is just a normal letter for teachers to remind them of concentrating more on board paper checking work than any other work and a warning for school principals about not burdening teachers with other work. It is not that that the teachers cannot take leave in an emergency."

WHAT CIRCULAR SAYS

“These examiners and moderators are giving second preference to the answer paper checking of the board that has come to the notice of board,” stated the circular