Calcutta High Court questions deployment of government teachers for Census duty

MP, August 15, 2026, Kolkata: The Calcutta High Court on Friday questioned the West Bengal government’s decision to deploy government school teachers for Census-related work, expressing concern that the additional assignment could come at the cost of both teaching responsibilities and teachers’ personal time.

Justice Krishna Rao, hearing petitions challenging the deployment, observed that teachers finishing school around 4 pm may have to travel to locations away from their schools for Census duties, leaving them with limited time to return home and attend to other responsibilities.

The court also questioned the state’s decision to issue a blanket order assigning Census work to teachers instead of adopting a more selective approach.

It suggested that only a handful of teachers from each school could be deputed, allowing the remaining staff to continue regular academic work.

The Bench said teachers could not reasonably be expected to carry out their normal school responsibilities and then undertake Census work without the government making appropriate arrangements.

It also referred to the Right to Education framework and the need to ensure that teaching in schools does not suffer.

The court took note of the limited weekend availability for teachers, particularly if Census-related duties are scheduled on Saturdays, leaving Sunday as their only full day off.