In compliance of the advice of Chief Minister Harish Rawat not to allow teachers to carry mobile phones in the classesm, the State education department has issued necessary orders. At a recent public meeting Rawat had expressed his displeasure on the fact that teachers remain busy in the classes due to which teaching is being affected.
The primary education Director, Seema Jaunsari told The Pioneer that an advisory is issued by the department in which the teachers are asked not carry phones in the classrooms. She said that strict action would be taken against the teachers who is found using phone in the classrooms. The education director admitted that it is a difficult task to keep an eye on thousands of Government schools but added that the teachers should themselves follow the directive.
The department had issued similar advisory in the past too but it seemed to have little impact. It remains to be seen how the department acts on the important issue now. Indulgence of teachers more on mobile phone than on classroom teaching is one of the major concerns of the parents. Amit Budakoti father of class VI student said that the department should ensure that the order is followed in letter and spirit. He said that his daughter regularly tells that her teachers remain busy on WhatsApp most of the time.
The teachers however are not amused by the order which prohibits them to carry phones in the classes. One of the teachers posted in Chakrata block of Dehradun questioned the move as to when other Government employees are not restricted to carry mobile phones why teachers are specifically targeted. He said that most of the teachers do not use phones in the classes but preventing them to carry it in the classes is not a wise decision. One of a lady teacher posted in a remote village of Pauri district said that keeping mobile phone gives a sense of security to them. She said that on one hand the department is asking them not to carry phones but on the other the officers of the education department regularly ask them to send pictures of the events organised in the schools on WhatsApp.