The Delhi government has dismissed reports about an order to have school teachers count stray dogs across the national capital. Government sources say a circular from the Directorate of Education (DoE) did not mention anything about counting stray dogs. “This is wrong information,” they said.
DoE Circular and Teachers’ Association Objections in Delhi
On December 5, the DoE Caretaking Branch issued a circular directing district education officers to assign teachers as nodal officers for stray dog issues and to send their details to the directorate. The directorate then forward the collected information to the chief secretary.
The BJP government has rejected the reports, which faced criticism from teachers’ associations. Krishna Phogat, a member of the Government School Teachers’ Association (GSTA) and a candidate for the presidency, stated that the association is writing to the Education Minister to oppose the decision. “This is wrong. If teachers start counting stray dogs, then who will take care of students? What will happen to the dignity and pride of teachers?” Phogat said.
SC Directions on Stray Dog Management
The association questioned why departments like Animal Husbandry, Forest, or other relevant government agencies are not assigned this task. “Teaching is a noble profession, but now the government has given us the job of counting stray dogs. If teachers are pulled away from teaching, what will happen to children’s education and the future of society?” Phogat said.
Officials note that the exercise follows directives from the Supreme Court. Last month, the court instructed all states and Union Territories to manage stray dogs by removing them from educational institutions, hospitals, railway stations, and bus stands and relocating them to designated shelters. The court also ordered the appointment of nodal officers to ensure the sterilization and vaccination of dogs before their relocation.
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