Daijiworld Media Network – Panaji

Panaji, Nov 5: The ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) 2.0 campaign in Goa, aimed at cleansing and updating the electoral rolls ahead of the 2026 elections, has triggered serious disruptions in the functioning of educational institutions across the state.

With key administrative and support staff reassigned to voter verification duties, schools and colleges are facing a severe manpower shortage, affecting day-to-day academic and administrative operations.

Under directions from the Election Commission, a large number of Head Clerks, Upper Division Clerks (UDCs), Lower Division Clerks (LDCs), and Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) have been deployed as Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and booth volunteers. This staff usually handles administration, maintains academic records, coordinates examinations, and ensures smooth institutional functioning.

The situation has been particularly difficult for aided institutions, already struggling with limited staff. In some cases, even laboratory assistants and physical education (PE) teachers have been assigned SIR duties, leaving schools without essential operational and instructional support.

“This sudden redeployment has left us scrambling,” said the principal of a higher secondary school in South Goa. “We are unable to manage internal assessments or maintain basic records. The staff who know the systems best are out in the field doing electoral work,” the principal added.

The crisis has deepened as the Education Department has reportedly refused to issue No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) to institutions seeking to hire temporary replacements. Without these approvals, schools and colleges cannot appoint contractual staff, worsening the administrative paralysis.

“The department’s refusal to grant NOCs is baffling. They expect institutions to function normally while stripping them of the very personnel who make that possible. It’s a recipe for chaos,” said a headmaster of an aided school in Ponda.

Educators have also raised concerns about the timing of the SIR 2.0 campaign, which coincides with mid-term examinations and preparations for board exams following the Diwali break. They fear that prolonged disruption could have lasting consequences for students, particularly those in critical years of study.

The SIR 2.0 campaign is expected to continue through December, and mounting pressure is now being placed on the Education Department to reconsider its stance on NOCs and explore alternative staffing arrangements.

Without timely intervention, Goa’s schools and colleges risk a prolonged period of dysfunction — potentially impacting thousands of students across the state.