Teachers Bodies Outrage Over Order Assigning School Principals and Teachers to Chase Away Stray Dogs From Campuses

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, November 24, 2025

A major controversy has erupted across Tripura after an administrative directive from the Directorate of Education allegedly instructed school principals and teachers to take responsibility for preventing stray dogs, goats and other wandering animals from entering school campuses.Teacher associations across the state have sharply questioned why duties that legally fall under urban and rural local bodies, such as the Municipal Corporation, Municipal Councils, Nagar Panchayats, Gram Panchayats and the ADC administrationare suddenly being imposed on teaching staff.The dispute intensified after a memo issued by NC Sharma, In-Charge Director of the Secondary Education Department who has reportedly been reinstated five times in service. Teachers’ representatives claim that Sharma distorted the essence of an ongoing Suo Motu writ petition (civil) No. (S).5 of 2025 in the Hon’ble Supreme Court and issued what they termed as an odd, laughable and insulting instruction.

The directive, dated 15 November and circulated under Memo No. F.13 (5-6)SE/GL-1/2025, appoints principals, headmasters, headmistresses and teacher-in-charges of all 652 higher secondary and secondary schools in Tripura as Dog Squad Officials. Under this assignment, they are expected to take all necessary and effective measures to ensure that stray dogs, goats and other animals cannot enter, hinder or reside within school premises at any time, day or night.

Sharma’s order specifically states: Stray Animal Control, Taking all necessary and effective measures to ensure that stray dogs and other animals do not enter, inhibit or reside within the school campus at any time. Compliance with these instructions must be ensured strictly and without delay.According to the memo, all 652 schools in the state have been included in what teachers are calling the Dog-Chasing Project, yet no financial incentive or logistical support has been provided to the staff assigned for the responsibility.

Teacher associations have strongly condemned the directive, arguing that the work of controlling stray animals is a civic responsibility that should be handled by local government bodies, not educators whose primary duty is academic administration and student welfare. Many have demanded immediate withdrawal of the memo, calling it administratively irrational and demeaning to the teaching community.The controversy continues to grow as educators await clarification or corrective action from higher authorities.

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