Stray Dog Census Row: Delhi Govt Backtracks on Teacher Duties After Protests

Delhi Government Orders Teachers to Count Stray Dogs

The Delhi government’s Directorate of Education sparked outrage after it was revealed that teachers from government and private schools were being asked to count stray dogs on city streets. The directive came in response to a Supreme Court order aimed at ensuring public safety, particularly in sensitive zones such as schools and hospitals.

The peculiar requirement, labelled an “exercise of highest priority,” initially involved 118 teachers from the North-West District, adding an unusual responsibility to their teaching duties.

Teacher Unions Condemn the Directive

Teacher unions reacted sharply, describing the order as an insult to professional integrity. The Government School Teachers Union immediately launched a campaign demanding its cancellation, arguing that monitoring stray dogs is the responsibility of civic or animal welfare departments, not educators.

Unions also pointed out that similar controversial orders have been issued in states such as Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, and Jammu & Kashmir, further highlighting the administrative overreach.

Delhi Government Clarifies Scope of Guidelines

Amid growing protests, the Delhi government clarified that teachers would not be required to go out into the streets to count dogs or conduct field surveys. Instead, the guidelines were limited to nominating nodal officers to coordinate administrative measures to address stray dog issues on school premises.

The directive adheres to the Supreme Court’s November 7 order focused on preventing dog bites and improving safety, without imposing extra duties on classroom teachers.

Educators Emphasize Classroom Priorities

The controversy underscores ongoing tensions in managing stray dog populations in India. Educators have reiterated that their primary responsibility is in classrooms, not on city streets, emphasizing the need for civic authorities to take direct responsibility for public safety measures.

With the clarification in place, the immediate conflict has subsided, but the incident has reignited debates about administrative mandates and the division of responsibilities in implementing Supreme Court directives.