NEW DELHI: The Delhi government has asked all educational institutions, including schools, to appoint nodal officers to handle issues related to stray dogs and submit their details to the Directorate of Education (DoE), a move that has drawn sharp opposition from teachers’ associations.According to news agency PTI, in a circular issued by the DoE’s Caretaking Branch, district education officers (DDEs) have been directed to compile and forward the details of nodal officers — including name, designation, contact number and email ID — for all schools, stadiums and sports complexes under their jurisdiction.
The consolidated information is to be sent to the directorate and will eventually be forwarded to the office of the Delhi chief secretary.The DoE clarified that responses from individual schools will not be accepted and that only district-level consolidated reports are required. The circular also stated that nodal officers will serve as the primary point of contact for stray dog-related issues, and their details must be prominently displayed outside school buildings and other educational premises to ensure public awareness.According to the DoE, the directive is linked to public safety concerns and is in compliance with a Supreme Court order dated November 7, as well as follow-up directions issued during a meeting held on November 20. The matter has been marked as a top priority.Teachers’ associations, however, have criticised the move, questioning why departments responsible for animal welfare are not being tasked with the responsibility. They also warned that assigning non-academic duties to teachers could disrupt academic work and erode the dignity of the teaching profession.Similar directives involving the deployment of teachers for animal-related responsibilities have previously been issued in several states and Union territories, including Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka and Chhattisgarh.(With agency inputs)
