Primary teachers may face suspension if found consuming tobacco, alcohol during school hours

The circular, signed by Sharad Gosavi, Deputy Director (Primary Education), and Education Officer, has been sent to the principals of all government primary schools, all Zilla Parishad schools, ordering a total ban on alcohol, tobacco, paan masala and cigarettes during school hours. The principals have been asked to immediately suspend the offending teachers. Besides, all primary schools have been directed to send their monthly action reports to the education department.

“As has been pointed out in a memorandum by a private body, there are instances when primary school teachers were found to be consuming alcohol, tobacco, gutkha and other paan masala products during school hours. It’s quite likely that such behaviour will corrupt the minds of young children and they will also contract such terrible addictions. It’s also been noticed that the proportion of such teachers is considerable in the rural areas of the state. Hence, you are directed that such teachers should be spotted and they should be deprived of the honours and promotions. If they don’t mend their ways they can also be suspended from their posts,” reads the circular signed by Gosavi.

Senior officials with the DEP said that a special squad may soon be appointed to check the ground reality in the schools. “Campaigns are under way to check the addictions of alcohol, tobacco and paan masala for students and teachers. We will step them up further and will also send the compliance report to the higher authorities,” said Mushtak Shaikh, Education Officer, Pune Zilla Parishad.