In a letter dated April 24 to the Directorate of Education (DoE), officials stated that these teachers declined their statutory role as census enumerators, calling it “disobedience.” The communication urged immediate termination, arguing that allowing such refusal could undermine others carrying out the work. However, the recommendation is not binding, and the DoE will decide on further action.The Delhi Government School Teachers’ Association (GSTA) has opposed the move, appealing to Education Minister Ashish Sood to intervene. GSTA representatives argued that terminating teachers just before their contracts expire in early May is unfair and administratively unsound. They also highlighted stagnant wages, noting that guest teachers’ daily pay has not increased in nearly eight years.Several teachers cited low remuneration, health concerns, and family responsibilities as reasons for opting out. One teacher pointed out that they are asked to work during the contract gap period for a fixed payment of ₹9,000, despite earning around ₹1,400 per day otherwise without benefits like paid leave.Sood stated that census duties are of national importance but assured that decisions would be made case by case, with exemptions possible for genuine medical reasons.
