Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru Mangaluru, Oct 5: With Dasara holidays coming to an end, schools are set to reopen on October 8. However, while government school teachers are preparing for the reopening, many are simultaneously burdened with completing pending work related to the social and educational survey. Teachers have been facing frequent technical glitches during the survey process, making it difficult to complete the assigned tasks on time. Although a portion of the survey has been completed, a large part of the household enumeration remains pending. As a result, many teachers have been unable to enjoy their Dasara break. Chief minister Siddaramaiah had earlier stated that if the survey could not be completed within the stipulated period, the deadline would be extended. However, this announcement has raised new concerns among teachers, who are unsure about how the extension would work. Questions such as whether they should conduct surveys alongside classroom sessions, after school hours, or in the evening are causing confusion. Initially, teachers were instructed to survey designated households between September 22 and 26. However, due to inaccuracies in Google Maps showing houses in incorrect locations, teachers were asked to conduct the survey afresh under a unified ‘Mangaluru block’ instead of separate Mangaluru South and North blocks. Similar arrangements have been made across other taluks. After September 26, enumerators were allowed to survey a specific number of households within their assigned limits rather than the originally listed ones. In this regard, representatives from the Dakshina Kannada Primary School Teachers’ Association, High School Assistant Teachers’ Association, and other educational bodies met deputy commissioner Darshan H V to present their grievances and request suitable measures. Member of the State Backward Classes Commission Pratibha Kulai and district officer of the Backward Classes Welfare Department Bindhiya were present. The associations urged the administration to revoke disciplinary action taken against the education officers of Mangaluru South and North due to survey irregularities. They also requested flexibility in allowing enumerators to choose their working hours, especially in the evening, considering safety and convenience. Deputy commissioner Darshan H V advised teachers to log in by 9 am but assured that any health-related or personal difficulties could be reported to the respective tahsildars for necessary action. The information was shared by district presidents of the Primary School Teachers’ Association Shivaprasad Shetty and the High School Assistant Teachers’ Association Riaz. Other office-bearers were also present.
