Officials report that around 1,800 teachers in Gautam Buddha Nagar district have been appointed as BLOs for the SIR exercise. As a result, several state‑run schools are operating with only a few remaining teachers. At one primary school in Dankaur (Greater Noida), just two teachers — including the principal — have been left to manage 155 students from class 1 to 5. Elsewhere, at a composite school in Hoshiyarpur (Noida) with 653 students, only six of the twenty deployed teachers remained on duty. Many children were seen seated on the floor, while classes from multiple grades were merged under a single teacher.
Consequences for Teaching and Learning
- Merged classes across grades — from primary to middle school — handled by one teacher.
- Delayed syllabus completion, especially in important subjects like Maths and Science.
- Reduced homework and revision: several parents reported that children have not had regular homework or proper revision sessions for weeks.
- Attendance drop: At one school with 224 enrolled students, only 78% attended classes after SIR deployment, according to the principal.
Immediate Effects on Students Ahead of Exams
Teachers on duty describe the situation as unmanageable. One educator said nearly 30 minutes of class time is lost daily just on taking attendance. The course work remains incomplete even with exams just weeks away. any students from low‑income or migrant backgrounds — whose parents may not have academic support at home — are among the worst affected. As one teacher noted, these children rely heavily on school for their only consistent learning environment. Parents expressed concern over the disruption. One mother explained her children returned from school claiming there was no homework or proper instruction for several days. Another student reportedly said he had not attended Maths or Science classes for twenty days, leaving him anxious as half‑yearly exams approach.
Calls for Balanced Deployment and Academic Continuity
School principals and local teacher associations have urged the administration to ensure a minimum fallback teaching staff before assigning teachers to BLO duties. They warn that continued deployment without backup staff might compromise students’ exam performance and overall learning. An Additional District Magistrate defended the move, stating that officials are attempting to ensure that school work is completed before BLO duties begin. However, the ground reality indicates that many classes remain unfinished and students suffer from lack of proper teaching time.
Broader Lesson: Election Duties Should Not Disrupt Core Education
The current crisis in Noida and Greater Noida highlights a serious risk when school teachers are diverted to election‑related administrative roles close to exam periods. Education experts argue that electoral duties must be planned to avoid overlapping with academic calendars, especially in critical months before exams. Balancing civic duty and academic responsibilities is essential to safeguard students’ right to uninterrupted education. Government agencies must ensure deployment schedules do not derail teaching schedules, and that adequate substitute staff or alternate arrangements are in place.
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