The Directly Recruited Postgraduate Teachers’ Association (DRPGTA) has urged the Erode district administration to exempt postgraduate teachers appointed as supervisors from the upcoming population Census 2027 exercise, citing the need to prioritise the academic interests of Class 12 students.

In a petition submitted to the district administration during the grievance meeting at the Collectorate on Monday (June 1, 2026), the association said postgraduate teachers would be fully engaged in teaching and examination-related activities from June to December, a crucial period for students preparing for the higher secondary public examinations.

The association pointed out that the School Education Department had directed schools to complete the syllabus by November and conduct half-yearly examinations covering the entire syllabus in December. Besides regular classroom teaching, postgraduate teachers were also involved in conducting special coaching classes for slow learners, organising morning and evening sessions, holiday classes, and periodic tests to improve students’ performance.

It further stated that many of these teachers were the sole subject teachers in their respective schools. Their deployment for Census supervision work could disrupt teaching in higher secondary classes and affect students’ preparation for the public examinations.

The association also noted that postgraduate teachers played a key role in coaching students for competitive examinations such as NEET and JEE.

Seeking the Collector’s intervention, the association requested that postgraduate teachers appointed as Census supervisors be relieved from the assignment to enable them to focus entirely on academic responsibilities and ensure better outcomes for Class 12 students.