We have to be at school, but how do we travel, ask teachers on SSC results duty

The authorities have still not allowed local train travel for all

Teachers and non-teaching staff entrusted with the evaluation of SSC students have sought exemption from the state government's ‘universal code', required for using local trains. They say they have already submitted their details to the education department to avail train passes and said the new system will eat up more time, particularly when they have to finish their work in the first week of July. The SSC results are expected around July 15.

The government has implemented the ‘universal code' to issue local train passes to prevent ineligible citizens from travelling on locals with the help of fake identity cards. Teachers say they need to fully devote themselves to evaluation, away from formalities.

"I live in Virar and my school is in Kandivli. It is not possible to cover this distance daily without local train access. The state government had declared that teachers would be allotted passes under special circumstances but when we reached the railway station there was no such facility," said a teacher requesting anonymity. Another said, "Even as the government is extending special support to teachers required for evaluation of board exam results, thanks to government instructions regarding opening offices with 50 per cent capacity, schools have started calling other teachers, too. Whereas for them classes are completely online anyway."

Considering the topography of Mumbai, teachers have been allowed to work from home. "But we too understand that for board exam results, teachers are required in school so that the work can be done and at a fast pace. Every school will have some teaching and non-teaching staff travelling to school for this. But instead of the new universal code system, why not allow local train passes on the school identity card?" asked Anil Bornare, vice-president of BJP Teachers' Cell, which has written to the government for intervention.

Earlier, on teachers' demand for local train access, the office of the Deputy Director of Education, Mumbai, was told to prepare a list of teaching and non-teaching staff required for board exam results. "However, that process is still not complete and a new one has been introduced. This just adds to the confusion," said Bornare.

A senior official from the ministry of school education said, "Most of the work related to SSC results is over. But, the demand from the teachers' union has been forwarded to the office of the Chief Minister and the Disaster Management Committee for a decision."

15 July
Likely date for SSC results to be announced