​​BJP MLA, NCP MLC spar over mandatory teachers’ headquarters stay issue in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: A political face-off has erupted in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar over BJP MLA Prashant Bamb’s demand that zilla parishad teachers must mandatorily reside at their service headquarters, drawing sharp opposition from NCP MLC Vikram Kale and teachers’ unions.

Bamb, who recently met zilla parishad (ZP) officials to press for his demand, said non-compliance by teachers is affecting education standards. “As per norms, ZP teachers must stay at their service headquarters. Many teachers are violating these norms. It is affecting the quality of education,” he told reporters.

The Gangapur MLA has even sought strict action against defaulters, including termination, and proposed a mobile app to track teachers’ presence at their headquarters.

Kale, representing the Marathwada Teachers’ Constituency, strongly countered the demand, asking the state to first provide basic infrastructure. “Govt should provide residential facilities before asking teachers to stay at their headquarters. Nobody, except Bamb, is making such an irrational demand,” he said.

He also dismissed concerns about learning outcomes. “Students and parents are largely satisfied with the quality of education in ZP schools,” Kale added, urging Bamb to focus on “pressing public issues” rather than “non-issues.”

The political sparring intensified as Kale, accompanied by teachers’ union representatives, met ZP authorities a day after Bamb’s visit to oppose the proposal.

The district has around 9,000 ZP teachers working across nearly 2,200 schools.

Teachers unions fume

Teachers’ organisations have also come out strongly against Bamb’s stand, calling it misplaced and factually incorrect.

Rajesh Hiwale, district president of the Maharashtra State Primary Teachers’ Union, rejected allegations about poor performance. “Results of govt scholarship and Navodaya exams show ZP students outperform many private schools. Whether a teacher stays at headquarters is immaterial. What matters is classroom performance,” he said.

Another union leader called the demand impractical and diversionary. “He (Bamb) should speak about the burden of non-academic duties like census and election work on teachers. This is a non-issue being raised for publicity. Even parents will not support it,” he said.

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