SHILLONG : The Jaintia National Council (JNC) Khliehriat Circle has strongly opposed the deployment of government school teachers for Census 2027 House Listing Operations in East Jaintia Hills, calling it a violation of the constitutional rights of tribal students.
In a formal objection submitted to the Deputy Commissioner and Principal Census Officer, the organisation demanded an immediate halt to the practice, stating that it disrupts classroom teaching and deprives students of their right to education.
JNC-KC Working President Diamon Bareh stated that while Section 27 of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 allows limited exceptions for census duties, it does not permit authorities to remove teachers from classrooms during active school hours.
He further cited the Allahabad High Court judgment in Chandani Devi & Others vs State of Uttar Pradesh (2021), which upheld that educational activities should not be compromised due to such assignments. Bareh also pointed out that Section 25 of the RTE Act mandates maintaining the Pupil-Teacher Ratio (PTR) at all times, a norm he claims is being violated in schools across the district.
Referring to Article 21-A of the Constitution, Bareh said the government cannot claim to uphold the right to education while simultaneously pulling teachers out for census-related work.
The Council also raised concerns over financial transparency, noting that the Union Government has allocated ₹11,718.24 crore for Census 2027. It questioned how much of this amount has been used to hire civilian enumerators in East Jaintia Hills and alleged that authorities are relying on teachers instead of properly utilising the sanctioned funds.
In addition, the JNC criticised the lack of effective outreach for the ongoing Self Enumeration process from May 1 to May 15, 2026. It stated that in rural areas with limited internet access and language barriers, awareness efforts have been minimal, excluding many tribal households from participation.
Calling it a “double failure,” the Council highlighted the absence of block-level help desks, village outreach, community engagement, and local language support.
The JNC has urged the district administration to immediately stop deploying teachers during school hours, recruit civilian enumerators to both protect education and generate local employment, and establish facilitation centres with Pnar-speaking staff. It also demanded an extension of the self-enumeration deadline for remote areas and a detailed report on teacher deployment and fund utilisation within seven days.
The organisation warned that it would intensify its response if the demands are not met.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner has assured that the matter will be taken up with the state government.
Reaffirming its stand, the JNC stated that students in East Jaintia Hills cannot be made to suffer due to administrative decisions, asserting that it will continue to defend the constitutional rights of tribal communities.