Delhi Govt clarifies no stray dog count duty for teachers amid controversy

A controversy has erupted over a Delhi Government order appointing nodal officers to handle matters related to stray dogs around their educational institutions. The authorities have clarified that no such directions were issued by the Directorate of Education (DoE). On the other hand, various teacher associations protested, saying it will adversely impact them and students with examinations season around the corner.

The claims and counterclaims came about on Monday after various media organisations ran the story about the teachers designated as nodal officers on the issue of stray dogs. It led to an outcry amongst the teacher community, forcing the Government to issue a clarification. Similar directives involving the deployment of teachers for animal-related matters have been issued earlier in several States and Union territories, including Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka and Chhattisgarh.

In a statement, the DoE on Monday clarified that the move is linked to public safety and is being implemented in accordance with the Supreme Court’s November 7 order and directions issued during a meeting held on November 20.

“In compliance with the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court vide Order dated 7.11.2025 in Suo Motu WP (C) No 5/2025, titled “City Hounded by Stray, Kids Pay Price”, and pursuant to the meetings held on 12.11.2025 chaired by the Secretary, Urban Development Department, Government of NCT of Delhi, and on 20.11.2025 chaired by the Chief Secretary, GNCT of Delhi, the minutes of the meeting held on 20.11.2025 were issued on 27.11.2025. The DoE was directed to ensure implementation of the instructions contained in Part-III of the said Minutes of the Meeting, particularly about the prevention of stray dog ingress in educational institutions and sports complexes,” it said.

Accordingly, the DoE issued Circulars dated 20.11.2025 and 5.12.2025 to Head of all offices, schools, and stadia under the DoE. Simultaneously, letters/circular dated 24.11.2025 and 10.12.2025 were issued to the concerned authorities/local bodies, viz Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), Delhi Cantonment Board (DCB), Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Delhi Development Authority (DDA), for implementation of preventive and safety measures within their respective jurisdictions.

“As per the directions issued, responsibility has been assigned to the Heads of all Offices, Schools and Stadia under the Directorate of Education, as well as to the concerned authorities/local bodies, to furnish a complete and exhaustive list of all public and private educational institutions and sports complexes under their jurisdiction. They were also directed to ensure strengthening of boundary walls, gates and fencing to prevent ingress or habitation of stray dogs. The institutions were also directed to designate a nodal officer for this purpose,” the DoE said.

Meanwhile, teachers’ associations, however, opposed the move, arguing that assigning such duties during the academic session could adversely affect teaching work, especially as pre-board examinations are currently underway in several schools.

Following the DoE circular dated December 5, in North West A district, the deputy director of education has issued an order naming 118 teachers from different schools in the zone for the task. The order also mentions three teachers as nodal officers representing three zones. Separately, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) also appointed 97 nodal officers in municipal schools for stray dog-related coordination, according to an order issued on November 28.

Teachers’ bodies, however, questioned why departments responsible for animal welfare are not handling the issue, cautioning that repeated non-academic assignments undermine the dignity of the teaching profession.

President of a Government teachers’ association, Sant Ram, said teachers have always extended their services whenever required, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, but deploying them for non-teaching duties during working days was unfair to students.

“If teachers are allowed to focus only on education during school days, it will be in the best interest of society and the country. Such duties can be assigned during vacations, but diverting teachers during the academic session is an injustice to children,” he said.