Gokula International School Students Protest Teacher Deployment for Election Duty

On Saturday, students of Gokula International School staged a protest outside their school campus, demanding the immediate return of their teachers who have been deployed for election-related duties.

The demonstration was sparked by the ongoing disruption of regular classroom teaching, which has left syllabuses incomplete, disrupted exam preparation, and affected classroom discipline. The teachers were deputed by the Election Commission for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, an exercise that has been extended until August 8.

During the protest, students carried placards and raised slogans against the prolonged absence of their educators. Students noted that while substitute teachers have been brought in, it has not resolved the disruption to their learning and doubt-clearing sessions.

"Our teachers have been away for many weeks. Different teachers come in for substitute classes, but it is not the same. We want our teachers back because our studies are being affected," said one of the protesting students.

The protest has received support from the Karnataka Associated Managements of English Medium Schools (KAMS). The association has submitted a representation to the State government and the Election Commission, urging the immediate withdrawal of teachers and Anganwadi workers from SIR duties.

According to the association, the continued deployment of teachers has resulted in a loss of instructional hours, delays in syllabus completion, and the disruption of assessments and remedial classes. KAMS also warned that student supervision, campus safety, mid-day meal monitoring, and overall learning outcomes are being compromised due to an increased workload on the remaining school staff.

D. Shashi Kumar, General Secretary of KAMS, highlighted that the cumulative impact of diverting teachers for census work, surveys, and election duties is severely affecting classroom teaching. KAMS argued that the prolonged deployment violates Article 21A of the Constitution, which guarantees the fundamental right to free and compulsory education, as well as the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, and the Karnataka RTE Rules, 2012.

To prevent further academic loss, KAMS has suggested that the government deploy alternative personnel for election work, such as trainees, retired officials, government staff, nurses, temporary administrative workers, or beneficiaries of the Yuva Nidhi programme.