Education Officer of Pauri, Kuldeep Gairola informed The Pioneer that following instruction from district magistrate he had ordered closure of all Government and aided schools in district for two days (Tuesday and Wednesday). It was revealed that the copy of order of CEO was flashed immediately on whatsApp group of teachers as soon as the officer vetted it.It is a common practice that Government school teachers offer many excuses for their absence in the schools to officials during any inspection but the speed with which the orders of leaves are circulated among them could rival any professional communication network. An example of this speedy internal communication was witnessed in Pauri District on Monday when the order of two day leave in the schools on account of rains was able to reach every teacher of all the schools of this predominately mountainous district within minutes.
Following the forecast of heavy rains by the meteorology department thousands of teachers posted in the government schools of State were eager to know about any decision of closure of schools. It is a common practice that the district magistrates take decision of leaves in school to prevent the students from being exposed to furry of nature. However teachers are the ones who are most interested in such declaration for sake of unscheduled holidays. One of the teacher posted in Dwarikhal block of Pauri district said that as most of the teachers posted in the remote village live in nearby towns and cities they are naturally anxious for information regarding holidays.
This teacher informed that teachers are linked by various whatsApp groups on which any such information is flashed.When informed about this Gairola too expressed his surprise at the speed of internal communication. He said that he has received scores of phone calls about status of leaves since morning. The CEO wished that the teachers show such promptness in implementing other orders and issues which concern studies and academic environment in the schools.