‘No-leave’ policy: DoE eases rules after teachers protest

The new circular also said the no-leave policy only applies to teachers of classes IX to XII and not teachers of nursery to Class VIII. (Representational)

Following protests by teachers over its October 13 order cancelling all leaves till February 28 next year, the Directorate of Education (DoE) issued a new circular saying the rule will not apply to leaves that were approved prior to the order. The new circular also said the no-leave policy only applies to teachers of classes IX to XII and not teachers of nursery to Class VIII.

The Directorate of Education had issued the order following discouraging results in the summative assessment-I and shortage of teachers in Delhi government schools. Describing it as a challenging year for the Directorate of Education — with Class IX students having to study the entire year’s syllabus and Class X students giving the board exams — the circular had said “basic minimum discipline has to be maintained in schools”.

As per the SA-1 results, the pass percentage in Class IX was 12 per cent; Class X, 21per cent; Class XI, 44 per cent and Class XII was 43 per cent. The new circular also said that in case of medical emergency, “leave should not be denied summarily” and that district education officers should consider all genuine cases. The earlier order had stated: “In case of medical emergency, teachers will be referred to the medical board. In case of extreme circumstances, leave has to be approved by the district education office.”

Meanwhile, all other orders — such as reaching school in advance, holding remedial classes, checking attendance, etc — are still in place.