Primary Teachers BLO Duty: Calcutta High Court to Decide on Exemption for Primary Teachers from BLO Duties

Primary Teachers BLO Duty: The Calcutta High Court is set to hear a critical case tomorrow, August 4, 2025, that could have a significant impact on the primary education system in the state. The case revolves around the question of whether primary school teachers should be exempted from Booth Level Officer (BLO) duties. The hearing, presided over by Justice Amrita Sinha, will address the concerns raised by teachers who argue that these additional responsibilities are hampering their primary role of educating children.

The Core of the Conflict

The main point of contention is the significant time and effort that BLO duties demand. Teachers argue that these responsibilities extend far beyond their regular school hours, directly clashing with a Supreme Court directive that such duties should not interfere with their teaching schedules. The appointment letters for BLOs do not specify work timings, leading to an extensive workload that often spills into school hours, thereby affecting classroom instruction.

Impact on Education

The assignment of BLO duties to primary teachers has several adverse effects on the education system:

• Reduced Teaching Time: Teachers are forced to dedicate a substantial amount of time to BLO-related tasks, which inevitably reduces the time they can spend in the classroom, preparing lessons, and attending to students’ needs.
• Compromised Teacher-Pupil Ratio: With teachers engaged in non-teaching duties, the number of available educators in schools decreases. This leads to a skewed pupil-teacher ratio, making it difficult to provide individual attention to students.
• Deterioration in Quality of Education: The dual burden of teaching and administrative tasks can lead to burnout and stress among teachers, which can, in turn, affect the quality of education they impart.

The Legal Battle

The situation escalated when teachers who refused to perform BLO duties were issued show-cause notices. In response, an urgent resolution was sought from the court, which was accepted by Justice Amrita Sinha, leading to tomorrow’s hearing. The court’s decision will be crucial in determining the future course of action for thousands of primary school teachers across the state. The verdict of this hearing will be particularly significant for the special intensive revision of voter lists.

The teaching community is hopeful that the court will consider the long-term impact on education and grant them an exemption from BLO duties. The outcome of this case will be closely watched by educators, parents, and policymakers alike, as it will set a precedent for the role of teachers in non-academic activities. We will continue to provide updates on this developing story as they become available.