Nearly 5,000 schools in MP forced to run without sufficient teachers. | Photo Credit: Representative Image

Key Highlights Several teachers have been deployed as clerical staff to various MLAs in Madhya Pradesh over 2,000 primary schools and nearly 2,000 middle schools in the state are functioning without the sanctioned strength of the teachers The Right to Education Act 2009 also prohibits teachers from being deployed in non-teaching purposes

Bhopal: The deterioration of educational standards in government schools is no hidden thing. And to make matters worse they are usually used for all sundry works except teaching students. And one such instance has been reported from Madhya Pradesh.

Despite a massive shortage of teachers in state schools, a number of teaching staff have been deployed as clerks to newly elected Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) thereby affecting the learning processes of the students studying in government schools.

According to a report, there are nearly 5,000 schools in Madhya Pradesh which are forced to run without sufficient number of teachers. A significant number of teachers from these schools have been instead deployed to act as 'personal staff' to MLAs and are forced to perform regular clerical works of the elected representatives.

Currently, 10 teachers are posted as clerical staff to nine Congress and one BJP MLA. The teachers have been deputed to serve the MLAs in clear violation of the rules which prohibit the deployment of teachers in works other than teaching.

Phundelal Singh Marko, a Congress MLA from Pushprajgarh constituency, has got his wife Premwati Singh Marko, a school teacher, appointed as his personal staff. While another teacher Raghuraj Singh works for his cousin Vijay Raghavendra Singh, who is a Congress MLA.

Quoting school education department data, the report further suggests that over 2,000 primary schools and nearly 2,000 middle schools in the state are functioning without the sanctioned strength of the teachers.

The Right to Education Act 2009 also prohibits teachers from being deployed in non-teaching purposes.

According to the General Administration Department (GAD) instructions in 1995, the district magistrates are required to check whether the deputation of clerks from a particular department does not affect the functioning of that department.

According to GAD minister Govind Singh, there are some exceptions where teachers are deployed as personal staff and that is due to the shortage of clerical staff.

"Teachers are not forced to be attached as clerical staff with lawmakers. They are deployed to MLAs only when they give their consent," said the minister.

Selfie attendance for teachers

Earlier in Uttar Pradesh, teachers in all government schools in Barabanki district were asked to send their selfies in front of their classrooms to get their attendance marked. The move was taken to bust the racket of ghost teachers.

The teachers were required to post their selfies on the Basic Shiksha Adhikari (BSA) webpage before 8 am to mark their attendance. In case, they fail to do so before the deadline, they will lose one day's salary.