A clever strategy has been implemented by the State Election Commission to increase voter turnout for the November 20 assembly election. It is encouraging parents of kids enrolled in all government and state-aided schools in Maharashtra to cast their ballots by sending them "sankalp patras," or resolution letters. While teachers are expected to follow up with individuals who do not sign the letter by going to their houses and taking pictures of them carrying a placard with a vow, both parents must sign the letter.
As part of the Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation program (SVEEP), the commission's action expands on initiatives to engage teachers and school going children in order to increase voting in the Lok Sabha election earlier this year. After voting, instructors were requested to gather the parents' selfies, and school administrators were urged to meet with the parents.
However, the plan has been met with opposition from teachers' organisations. The organisation claims that teachers are already overburdened with exam-related responsibilities and cannot manage the extra workload.
On behalf of their children, the parents are the recipients of the letters.
The first paragraph read, “I am aware of your deep love for me. For my bright future, you put in a lot of effort day and night. Democracy is tied to my future. As a result, I implore you to resolve to cast your ballot in the next Assembly elections. I have no doubt that you will carry out this resolution.”
A pledge is then required to be signed by both parents. It further states that as Indian citizens, we pledge to protect our nation's democratic traditions and uphold the integrity of elections in a free, fair, and peaceful manner, free from fear or influence from caste, religion, community, language, or any other inducement. Without fail, we shall cast our ballots and urge all of our friends, neighbours, and relatives to follow suit.
A copy of the letter has been distributed to all school managements by the education department, and Mahendra Ganpule, a former school administrator, stated that they are expected to print copies for their kids and cover the cost out of their own pockets.
He pointed out that the department has not provided any guidelines on how to cover these expenses.
Before turning it in to their teachers, each student must sign the letter with their name and the signatures of their parents. In addition, the school education department has directed teachers to go to parents who have not turned in the signed letter, ask them to sign it, and take a picture of them holding a sign indicating that they would cast their ballots in the gathering poll.
According to teachers' organisation, the action would put more financial strain on school administrators.
It has become difficult for schools to handle their daily costs since the government stopped giving them non-salary grants a few years ago. How will schools manage this extra cost? Ganpule said.
He pointed out that the duties assigned to instructors, like going to students' homes, would also occupy a significant amount of their time during the exam period.
For example, on Tuesday and Wednesday (October 29 & 30) of next week, the commission has planned a teacher training session. However, the dates align with a baseline test that the government mandates for classes 3, 5, and 8, which necessitates instructors' attendance at their particular schools.
Organisation representing teachers have requested a postponement of the training. Since some teachers have already been given election-related responsibilities, the Maharashtra State Primary Teachers Committee has also encouraged the State Council for Educational Research and Training (SCERT) to postpone a separate training session for recently hired teachers that was originally planned for November 4 to 10.
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