Teachers are now responsible for educating students about street dogs as part of a new directive from the Education Department.
According to a recently issued notification, teachers must make students aware of potential dangers posed by stray dogs during their commute to and from school. Additionally, they are required to ensure that dogs do not enter school premises, particularly in areas where mid-day meals are prepared.
The notification outlines several awareness measures.
It says, teachers must educate students before school begins and after prayers, advising them to avoid areas where multiple dogs are gathered and to refrain from running in front of them. “Students should also be discouraged from throwing stones or provoking the animals. If a dog exhibits aggressive behaviour, students are instructed to remain calm and seek help from passersby if necessary. Furthermore, schools have been asked to report high concentrations of stray dogs to the local municipality or panchayat office,” said an official of the education department.
Chandan Maity, the headmaster of Krishnachandrapur High School in South 24 Parganas district criticised the directives. “Not all street dogs are aggressive and many are friendly and harmless. They have different personalities like human beings. If the new instruction is followed, children will not learn the kindness and compassion that they need to show towards all living creature around them, which also of the fundamental of every citizens,” he opined.
Following the notification, some teachers have raised concerns about the practicality of these responsibilities. Many schools, especially in rural areas, lack proper boundary walls, allowing not only dogs but also cows and goats to enter school premises.
Animesh Halder, leader of the Secondary Teachers and Education Workers Association, stated, "Many primary schools do not have fences. Dogs, cows, and goats often enter. Additionally, many schools lack gatekeepers. While we will certainly make students aware, we are also demanding the construction of fences and the appointment of gatekeepers. Otherwise, teachers will be left chasing away dogs with sticks."
The Bengali Teachers and Education Workers Association has also voiced concerns. They pointed out that while the government has instructed states to ensure student safety from stray dogs, the national education policy clearly states that teachers should not be assigned tasks unrelated to education.
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