State wants govt school teachers on WhatsApp

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These officers will then compile the details and submit them, along with that of the group admins, to the state headquarters. The respective admins of these groups will be made members of another group moderated by the education department, which will directly disseminate information about teaching practices or government circulars to these groups. The nodal group will be responsible for ensuring that the information percolates down to other groups too.

“The aim is to ensure that we are able to reach out swiftly to teachers residing in the most remote corners with new policies that the government is formulating. Rather than waiting for days for government circulars to reach schools, we can provide such information directly to teachers through WhatsApp,” said Director, Primary Education, Mahavir Mane.

The order came earlier this week. Mane, however, said joining such groups was not mandatory. “We are not expecting every teacher in the state to join. Those who do not have phones can’t do so. However, the idea is that even if one school teacher from a particular place joins, he can then pass on the information to other members of his school,” he said.

“It is a good initiative by the state. It will help teachers to be linked with policymakers. Many a times teachers in mofussil areas are not aware about changes in government policies. This endeavour will ensure every one in the state remains linked,” said Ilhajuddin Farooqui, Maharashtra State President of the All India Urdu Teachers’ Association.