Punjab: Census duties in Punjab have significantly increased the workload of school teachers, threatening to impact their ability to teach and focus on students. The Punjab Teachers Federation has warned the government and relevant authorities about this issue. Federation representatives stated that many teachers are having to juggle census duties with their regular school duties, placing additional strain on their time and energy. The Federation clarified that if this problem is not addressed, it could negatively impact students’ education and exam preparation.
Officials stated that to successfully complete the census this year, many teachers have been assigned tasks such as data collection, household surveys, and online recording in villages and cities. This work is typically coordinated with school hours, leaving teachers short on time for their regular classes. The Federation has urged authorities to adjust schedules or hire additional support staff in the interest of both teachers and students. They stated that teachers may be limited to contributing to the census, but their primary responsibility is to ensure the education of students. The teaching community has also expressed concern about this increased workload. They say that teachers are experiencing fatigue and mental stress due to the constant additional duties.
This could result in a compromised quality of classroom instruction and disruption to students’ learning. The Federation also stated that the government should ensure teachers’ safety, honorarium, and proper evaluation of their work while on duty. Furthermore, the Federation warned that if students’ learning is affected, the relevant officials will be held accountable. This issue has highlighted the challenge of balancing education and administrative work in Punjab. Experts believe that maintaining a balance between government programs and school work is crucial so that teachers can fulfill their primary responsibility—providing quality education to students. Finally, the Punjab Teachers Federation has appealed to the state government to take this matter seriously and prioritize the well-being of teachers and students while on census duty.
