‘Why can't we work from home, too?': Teachers to Maharashtra government

Teachers write to the state government, demand that they be given the option especially when school reopening has been postponed

If the reopening of schools has been postponed considering the alarming conditions, even teachers should not be forced to come to school, city teachers have demanded, fearing COVID-19 infection. They have written to the state government about their increasing concerns with mandatory physical attendance in schools.

Even as phase-wise school reopening has started in Maharashtra from the last week of November, in Mumbai and surrounding districts, schools are still shut considering the high number of COVID-19 patients. But while schools are closed for students, teaching and non-teaching staff were supposed to record physical attendance at least thrice a week. Now when schools in many other parts of the state have been closing due to increased concerns of infection spread; teachers’ organisations are demanding work from home. According to teachers, anyway the teaching-learning process is happening online.

“Recently Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray addressed everyone sharing increasing concerns of the infection spread. When the CM is encouraging work from home, mandatory 50% physical attendance for teaching and non-teaching staff at schools is contradictory, especially because classes are anyway through the online method,” said Rajesh Pandya, from the Teachers’ Democratic Front. Adding to this, Shivnath Darade, from Maharashtra Rajya Shikshak Parishad, said, “Even as the number of cases is rising in the city, teachers are forced to report to schools, following the 50 per cent attendance regulations. The government should provide updated guidelines as per changes in the situation.” The Parishad has written a letter to the CM with this and few other demands which include changes in the pattern of board exam as schools are not yet fully functional in the city.

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