A controversial directive has sparked an uproar among educators in Maharashtra, India. Teachers, already overburdened with teaching and election duties, are now being asked to tackle a new challenge: keeping stray dogs off school premises.
The school education department's recent instructions have caused a stir, with teachers' unions protesting against what they see as an unfair shift in responsibilities. The directive, issued on December 30, 2025, by the Education Commissioner, mandates schools to appoint teachers as nodal officers to monitor and prevent stray dogs from entering school campuses.
This move has not gone unnoticed by teachers' organisations, who argue that such civic duties should be handled by local authorities and municipal corporations. The Maharashtra Progressive Teachers Association (MPTA) believes that tasks related to animal control, cleanliness, and campus safety fall outside the scope of educators' responsibilities.
"Teachers are dedicated to running the education system, not covering up administrative inefficiencies," said Tanaji Kamble, president of the MPTA. He further emphasized that the order insults the dignity and intelligence of teachers, alleging a misinterpretation of Supreme Court directions to justify non-academic work.
But here's where it gets controversial: the education department's decision is based on a suo motu petition before the Supreme Court regarding the nuisance caused by stray animals and human-dog conflicts. The department seeks information from schools to file an affidavit, with schools instructed to provide details within an incredibly tight timeframe.
And this is the part most people miss: similar orders have been issued before, such as the one by the University Grants Commission in mid-December 2025, which was later withdrawn after protests. The Delhi school education department also faced backlash for a comparable directive.
Mahendra Ganpule, former vice-president of the state principals' association, questions why teachers are repeatedly chosen for non-teaching tasks. "Driving away stray dogs is the responsibility of local self-governing bodies. Teachers should not be burdened with tasks that are not part of their core responsibilities," he said.
The controversy raises important questions about the role of educators and the limits of their responsibilities. Should teachers be expected to take on additional civic duties, or is this an unfair burden that distracts from their primary role in education? What are your thoughts on this issue? Feel free to share your opinions in the comments below!
