Classrooms to canines: Delhi deploys teachers for stray dog census

The Supreme Court on August 22 ordered restricted public feeding of stray dogs

The Delhi government has directed educational institutions, including schools, to nominate nodal officers for matters related to stray dogs and submit their details to the Directorate of Education, according to PTI.

As quoted by PTI, a circular issued on December 5 by the DoE Caretaking Branch stated that district education officers have been directed to designate teachers as nodal officers for stray dog-related matters and submit their details to the directorate, which will forward the consolidated information to the chief secretary.

Teachers' associations, however, have opposed the move, questioning why departments responsible for animal welfare are not handling the issue.

Krishna Phogat, a member of the Government School Teachers' Association (GSTA), who is also contesting for the post of president, told NDTV that the association is writing to the Education Minister to oppose the decision. "This is wrong. If teachers start counting stray dogs, then who will take care of students? What will happen to the dignity and pride of teachers?" the member said.

In a circular, the Directorate of Education's (DoE's) Caretaking Branch said district education officers (DDEs) must compile details of nodal officers, including name, designation, contact number and email ID for all schools, stadiums and sports complexes under their jurisdiction and send the consolidated information to the directorate.

The DoE stated that replies being received from individual schools were not required, and clarified that only district-level compiled reports would be accepted. The information will be forwarded to the office of the Delhi chief secretary.

Nodal officers will act as the point of contact for stray dog-related issues, and their details are to be displayed prominently outside school buildings and other educational premises for public awareness.

The DoE said the move is linked to public safety, is in compliance with the Supreme Court's November 7 order, and in line with subsequent directions issued in a meeting held on November 20. The task has been marked as a top priority, the circular added.

Opposing the move, teachers' associations have also cautioned that assigning such non-teaching duties to educators could affect academic work and undermine the dignity of the teaching profession.

Similar directives involving deployment of teachers for animal-related matters had earlier been issued in a number of states and Union territories, including Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka and Chhattisgarh.

According to reports, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has earmarked 100 official dog-feeding spots across Lutyens’ Delhi, covering prominent areas such as Khan Market, Lodhi Gardens, government office complexes, diplomatic enclaves and major commercial hubs, officials said.