NEW DELHI: The Delhi government on Tuesday withdrew the order to deploy teachers at IGI airport for Covid duty. They will be replaced by civil defence volunteers.The initial order had been issued by the SDM, west district. More than 50 teachers had been allotted duty starting December 31 till January 15 from 6am to 10pm. Many teachers had questioned the rationale behind the move. The government school teachers’ association had also opposed the order and demanded its withdrawal.The winter break for Delhi government schools is from January 1 to 15.The order issued by SDM, Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), on Tuesday said, “In partial modification of order dated December 26, 2022, the teachers/other teaching staff deployed are hereby exempted from airport duty from December 31, 2022 to January 15, 2023. In case required, civil defence volunteers from west district may be deputed.”After the order’s withdrawal, teachers expressed relief, saying they could now continue with their plans for the winter.A teacher who had been allotted duty said, “Since we were told we have to work at the airport, I was very worried and had been trying to make representations to the authorities. There is a medical emergency at my home, so it was not possible for me to carry out airport duty.”Terming the older order “unfair”, another teacher said, “Had the media not highlighted the issue, the government may not have cared about our condition. The government should understand teachers have a specific duty, that is to teach, and not do a lot of other things.”TOI had on Monday reported about the move to deploy teachers at IGI.A physical education teacher from UP, who had also been allotted duty earlier, added, “I was thinking I would cancel my ticket to go home today. I am happy that the order has been withdrawn.”Some of the teachers who had been allotted duty also had to take remedial classes for students of classes IX to XII. Remedial classes are to be held during the winter break.After the order’s withdrawal, the Government School Teachers Association (GSTA) took to social media to thank the government and the LG.”We urge that in the future, dedicated staff for such duties is designated and teachers are excluded and exempted,” said Ajay Veer Yadav, general secretary, GSTA.
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/after-protest-teachers-spared-of-covid-duty-at-delhi-airport/articleshow/96554812.cms