How many HINDU, MUSLIM teachers?

Mumbai: That's what the state government wants schools and junior colleges in Maharashtra to answer. Ironically, it does not know why it's collecting the data. Kranti Vibhute reports.

Do you care about the religion of the teacher who teaches your child? Apparently, the government does. The state education department has sent a circular to all government schools and junior colleges in the state and asked them to provide data on the number of Hindu and Muslim teachers in their school. Earlier, the survey was restricted to the number of minority students.

Ironically, the government itself does not know the purpose of the survey. When contacted, state Education Minister Patangrao Kadam said, "I am aware of why the data on minority students is being collected, but I have no clue about the survey on teachers. I will need to check the circular and find out."

Sanjay Kumar, secretary to government school education and sports department, said, "The survey on minority students is being carried out because of a scholarship policy and hostel facility for students who have failed. However, I have no idea why a survey on teachers is being carried out." Sheela Tiwari, deputy director of school education, said, "It's a government policy matter, so I cannot comment."

The rationale behind the government's decision to get statistics on the number of Hindu and Muslim teachers in schools has perplexed everyone. Jagannath M Abhyankar, ex-chairperson of the Maharashtra State Board and examination controller, said, "The central government has come up with many schemes for minority students.

But there is no scheme that offers concession to teachers for the government to seek data on Hindu and Muslim teachers in a school." While most school principals are baffled at the circular, some are also worried that the data may be misused.

Voices:

It is ok to provide information on schools students and teachers, but the government should specify the reasons for such a survey so that it does not lead to misunderstandings.- Kapil Patil

MLC who represents teachers in the assembly.

I don't know why the government is asking for this kind of information about teachers, but I feel this is not the right way. I feel the government may have made a printing mistake.

- Dr Zahir Kazi

General secretary, Anjuman Islam Trust
It is absolutely wrong to ask for data about only two categories of teachers. People are coming to different conclusions because of the move.

- M P Sharma

Director, G D Somani School, Colaba
It's a stupid question. It will create insecurity among teachers and nothing else.

Arundhati Chauhan

President, Parents Teachers Association United Forum
How many Muslims in the Army?

IN February 2006, the government came under a lot of flak from people for their decision to collect information on the number of Muslim soldiers in the Army. The Army had opposed the move, saying it would send the wrong signals, but the government defended itself saying it was only asking for data. The then Army Chief Gen J J Singh also opposed the move and his force even refused to provide data to the Sachar Committee though the Air Force and Navy had already provided statistics.