Teachers who smoke or drink to be pulled up

The primary education department had instructed all its officers to take action against teachers found to be consuming tobacco and alcohol after an NGO pointed out that many teachers in rural schools were consuming the same in front of students. A study conducted by the NGO revealed that students tend to emulate teachers and hence this habit amongst teachers should be curbed.

According to Sunil Chavan, deputy education officer (primary) the Oriental Human Rights Protection Forum, Thane, conducted a study of schools in rural areas and found that teachers in most of these schools were in the habit of chewing tobacco, smoking beedis and cigarettes and even going to school after consuming alcohol. “The report states that the teachers display their addiction in front of the students, as a result of which many students get influenced and start consuming the same too,” said Mr Chavan.

The report has also requested the department to take severe action against teachers having addictions by not considering them for awards, not promoting them or giving them facilities extended by school education department and to suspend those who continuing with their habits despite being told to stop. While the study was conducted in schools in the rural parts of Thane district, Mr Chavan said it was being taken as a basis for assuming that most teachers in rural schools were having some addiction or the other.

Mr Chavan said that the department had taken cognisance of the recommendations of the NGO and all officers have been instructed to prepare a list of errant teachers and submit an action taken report after inspecting schools in their regions.