The Ministry of School Education and Literacy has submitted a proposal to exempt women teachers above 50 from SIR and census duties. | Photo credit: File photo
The Finance Ministry has rejected a blanket exemption for women teachers above 50 years of age from the upcoming Special Intensive Review (SIR) and National Census-2027 in the state.
Following representation from teachers’ associations, the Department of School Education and Literacy (DSEL) submitted a proposal to exempt female teachers over 50 years of age from SIR and census duties.
Responding to the proposal, Munish Moudgil, principal secretary, revenue department, said that while deputy commissioners and municipal commissioners in districts can decide on it depending on available resources, he said such requests cannot be entertained if it would affect the conduct of SIR and census. He also asked them to submit the decision taken in this regard to the government for its information.
A copy of the letter is available with The Hindu.
In his letter, Mr. Moudgil further said that the Deputy Commissioners and Municipal Commissioners have already started preparations to conduct the National Census and the Election Commission of India is expected to start the SIR exercise in the state. In such a scenario, it is possible that Booth Level Officers (BLOs) may have to be taken out of the census, indicating shortage of manpower.
Teachers hurt
However, this reaction of the Ministry of Finance caused dissatisfaction among female teachers over 50 years of age.
Speaking to The Hindu, a senior teacher of a government school in Bengaluru said that many teachers have died during the SIR exercise in other states and it is a big problem. “They have decided to conduct both the census and the SIR during the scorching summer. It will definitely take a toll. Many teachers above 50 are already suffering from serious health problems. By the time the SIR and the census are completed, schools will reopen, which means there will be no peace,” she said, adding that the teachers would meet Education and Literacy Minister Madhu Bangarappa again and seek a blanket exemption.
Chandrashekara Nuggali, president of the Government Primary School Teachers Association, said that teachers have always been entrusted with all kinds of non-teaching tasks like election work, population census and so on. There are enough group ‘C’ employees in various government departments who can be employed in the same manner, he suggested. He said the association would meet Mr Moudgil to get him to reconsider the directions to the district authorities.
Published – 21 March 2026 18:56 IST
