Thiruvananthapuram: Commission for Protection of Child Rights has directed the authorities to ensure that teachers are assigned census duties without affecting the academic quality.The order was issued based on complaints submitted before the commission stating that appointing teachers for census work in schools seriously disrupts academic activities, SSLC examination-related work and overall learning standards, thereby violating children’s fundamental right to education, said a statement.Commission also ordered the state census commissioner or chief secretary to issue the necessary instructions to district-level principal census officers.It further stated that a high-level committee should be formed by state census commissioner, with the participation of relevant officials, to review the duties of teachers, including higher secondary teachers who have already been assigned census work, and to examine future teacher appointments for census duty.The committee should also explore the possibility of appointing employees from other govt departments, as well as educated job seekers registered with employment exchange, instead of relying solely on teachers.Commission recommended that the state census commissioner issue clear guidelines after considering flaws, complaints and suggestions related to census duty.
