Patna: Bihar Education Department has directed that teachers assigned duties for the 2027 Census must carry out census-related work only outside school hours in order to prevent disruption to classroom teaching.
The order was issued by B Rajender to district magistrates across the state.
According to the directive, teachers deputed as enumerators and supervisors will be required to continue their regular teaching duties while conducting census work either before school begins or after classes conclude.
Census Work Not Allowed During Teaching Hours
The department stated that teachers would not be permitted to undertake census-related duties during regular school timings.
Officials said the decision was taken to ensure that the education of school-going children was not affected during census operations.
At the same time, the order has increased the workload on teachers, many of whom are already balancing classroom responsibilities alongside field duties related to the census.
Confusion Over Attendance And Training
In a letter sent to districts, the Additional Chief Secretary noted that different districts had issued varying instructions regarding attendance during census operations.
According to the department:
- teachers deployed for census duties had raised concerns over confusion in attendance procedures
- teachers had requested exemption from mandatory training obligations
- they had also sought uniform guidelines for all districts
The department subsequently directed that teachers engaged in census work be exempted from mandatory training requirements until May 31.
Teachers To Conduct Census Work In Afternoon
The first phase of the 2027 Census is currently underway in Bihar.
Officials said:
- self-enumeration concluded on May 1
- house listing operations began on May 2
- door-to-door surveys will continue until May 31
A large number of teachers have been appointed as:
- enumerators
- supervisors
Since schools in Bihar are currently operating morning shifts during the summer season — from 6:30am to 12:30pm — teachers are expected to carry out census fieldwork primarily during afternoon and evening hours.
The department noted that conducting enumeration work early in the morning was not practically feasible.
Union Cabinet Decision Cited
The Education Department said the arrangement was in line with a Union cabinet decision under which government personnel engaged in census operations are required to perform such duties alongside their regular service responsibilities.
Officials clarified that teachers assigned census duties would therefore have to manage both:
- classroom teaching
- field-based census work
during the census exercise.
