Belagavi: Government school teachers are facing mounting pressure due to increasing online administrative responsibilities despite inadequate digital infrastructure in schools. With insufficient computers and poor internet connectivity, many teachers are forced to complete online registrations and official work using personal mobile phones and computers, often bearing the costs themselves. The growing volume of digital tasks has added significantly to their workload alongside classroom teaching responsibilities, raising concerns over the lack of institutional support and resources.Officials of the school education and literacy department said that administrative and academic tasks performed by teachers in govt schools have to be recorded online. These include the Karnataka Advanced Attendance System (KAAMS), lesson planning, lesson-based assessment, entry of bridge exam grades, formative and summative assessment entries, textbook, uniform and shoe distribution details, midday meal data entry, SATS registration, BLO election duties, specially-abled children information app entries and more.Government school teachers have demanded the provision of computers, a permanent internet connection, a monthly mobile or internet allowance, appointment of computer operators in schools on the lines of guest teachers, and a dedicated technical support system for data entry tasks.Ramesh Goni, district president of the Primary School Teachers’ Association, said this is not merely a demand for convenience but a necessity to improve the quality of education, protect teachers’ health and save teaching time. He said they had earlier met education minister Madhu Bangarappa, requesting computers, internet and one operator at the cluster level. The minister responded positively, and implementation is expected in the upcoming budget.Leelavati Hiremath, deputy director of the school education and literacy department, said there is a lack of efficient utilisation of vacation days and poor management of records in many schools. In a few schools, including one in Kanabaragi village, computers and internet are being maintained and used effectively at low cost. If other schools adopt this model, the problem could be addressed.VS Patil, a retired govt school headmaster, said primary education is the foundation of every child’s future, and the knowledge gained at this stage is crucial. He added that every poor parent aspires to provide quality education through govt schools, and a proper digital system must be ensured for documentation.“Teachers who do not go to school should be brought to school, those present should be sent to classrooms, and those in classrooms should teach. These three principles must be followed to improve the quality of education in govt schools,” he said.
