Bhubaneswar: The school and mass education department has warned private schools of strict action if they prevent teachers from performing Census 2027 duties. The department clarified that participation of private school teachers in Census operations was mandatory.Additional secretary Durga Prasad Mahapatra said the govt has received reports that some private school authorities were preventing teachers and staff from discharging their responsibilities as enumerators and supervisors in the ongoing Census exercise. Since Census duties are statutory functions under the Census Act, 1948, and the Census Rules, 1990, any interference in the process amounts to a serious violation of govt directives, he said.The first phase of Census 2027 is currently underway in the state and is expected to continue till May 15, while the second phase is scheduled for Feb-March next year.The department has asked all district education officers (DEOs) to issue immediate instructions to govt and private schools under their jurisdiction to ensure that teachers and staff assigned Census responsibilities are relieved in time to discharge their duties. In a letter to the DEOs, the department directed that no teacher or staff member should be restricted from participating in Census operations “on any pretext”, warning that any obstruction would be treated seriously.Earlier, school and mass education minister Nityananda Gond said teachers have traditionally played a key role in Census-related activities because of their administrative experience and grassroots outreach. However, engagement of teachers in non-academic govt duties has often triggered concerns among educators over disruption of classroom teaching as well as the prevailing heatwave conditions.Keeping the heatwave in view, the state govt has already directed teachers not to carry out Census work during peak heat hours between 11 am and 3 pm.The department warned that any negligence in ensuring the smooth conduct of Census work would be viewed seriously. Director of Census operations Nikhil Pawan Kalyan said over one lakh personnel have been engaged in the Census exercise, a majority of whom are teachers.
