Archive · 8 Dec 2025
Punjab Teachers on Poll Duty
In Punjab, many teachers from government schools have been asked to help with elections.
This means they won't be in their classrooms teaching.
Some teachers, especially women, have to travel very far, up to 100 kilometers, for their duties.
They are worried about where they will stay and how they will get home safely.
The teachers and their unions are upset because they think this is unfair and makes their jobs harder.
The education minister has said he doesn't want teachers to do these kinds of jobs, but it's still happening.
Hundreds of Punjab government school teachers have been assigned to zila parishad and panchayat samiti election duty.
Women teachers are being posted 70 to 100 km away from their stations, raising concerns about safety and accommodation.
Teachers and unions are protesting, calling the assignments unjustified and mentally harassing.
Education minister Harjot Singh Bains has previously opposed the deployment of teachers for non-academic duties.
Teachers must report for rehearsals on December 8 and 11, then again on December 13 for dispatch and on December 14 for polling.
- Who
- Teachers in Punjab government schools
- What
- Assigned to zila parishad and panchayat samiti election duty
- When
- Polling on December 14, rehearsals on December 8 and 11, dispatch on December 13
- Where
- Various districts in Punjab, with women teachers posted 70 to 100 km away
- Why
- To assist in the election process, despite protests and concerns from teachers and unions
- Polling Date
- December 14
- Number of Teachers per School
- 30 to 40
- Distance for Women Teachers
- 70 to 100 km
- Rehearsal Dates
- December 8 and 11
- Dispatch Date
- December 13
- Teachers' Concerns
- Safety, accommodation, and long distances
- Minister's Stance
- Against non-academic duties for teachers
- Union's Response
- Protesting distant postings and mental harassment