Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh | May 30, 2026
A controversy has erupted in Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly district after government school teachers were reportedly asked to help collect fodder for stray cattle shelters, triggering widespread criticism and protests from the teaching community.
The issue came to light when local education officials allegedly directed schools and education department staff to contribute towards the collection of hay and fodder for cow shelters operating in the district. According to reports, a target of around 1,500 quintals of fodder was assigned across various blocks, with schools expected to participate in the drive.
The directive sparked outrage among teachers, who argued that they were already burdened with numerous non-academic responsibilities such as census work, election duties, voter list verification, surveys, and data collection exercises. Educators questioned why teaching staff were being involved in activities unrelated to education.
During protests, teachers raised the slogan "Census in One Hand, Fodder in the Other," symbolizing what they described as the growing pressure of administrative and non-teaching assignments. Many protesters claimed that such responsibilities divert attention from classroom teaching and negatively impact students' learning outcomes.
Teacher organizations stated that educators are appointed to teach children and improve educational standards, not to perform tasks that fall outside the scope of their professional duties. They demanded that the government appoint dedicated personnel for such assignments instead of relying on school staff.
The controversy quickly gained traction on social media, where many users debated the increasing use of teachers for government-related work. Supporters of the teachers argued that excessive non-teaching duties have become a nationwide concern and that educational quality suffers when teachers are frequently assigned administrative responsibilities.
In response to the criticism, district authorities reportedly clarified that contributions towards fodder collection were intended to support cattle shelters and were not meant to be coercive.
Officials also indicated that participation should be voluntary and that no individual should face pressure for non-compliance.
The issue has once again highlighted the long-standing debate over the role of teachers in government programs beyond education. While authorities stress the importance of public participation in welfare initiatives, teachers maintain that their primary responsibility must remain classroom instruction and student development.
As the debate continues, education groups are urging policymakers to review the growing list of non-teaching duties assigned to educators and ensure that schools remain focused on their core mission—providing quality education to students.
Source: Reports from Bareilly district administration, teacher organizations, and national media coverage.