The Tamil Nadu School Education Department has ordered an inquiry after allegations surfaced that teachers in Manapparai block of Tiruchy district were made to pack and transport textbooks for the second term from a local warehouse. The controversy began when videos of teachers carrying sacks of books and loading them into private vehicles went viral, prompting sharp criticism from teaching associations and public outrage.

I am writing about this issue because it highlights the recurring problem of teachers being assigned non-teaching tasks, diverting them from their primary role in the classroom. The matter also raises questions about administrative responsibility and compliance with government rules that are meant to safeguard teachers’ dignity and ensure proper distribution of learning materials. When educators are burdened with manual or logistical work, it not only disrupts the learning process but also reflects poor management practices within the system. This incident in Manapparai is a reminder of why accountability and respect for teaching staff are crucial in maintaining educational standards.

Inquiry Ordered into BEO’s Actions

Following the reports, the School Education Department directed the Chief Educational Officer (CEO) of Tiruchy to conduct a detailed inquiry into the allegations against the Block Education Officer (BEO) of Manapparai. Department sources confirmed that an internal investigation is underway to verify whether teachers were indeed instructed to transport the books themselves, violating government protocol.

According to officials, the inquiry will review video evidence, statements from school headmasters, and instructions issued by the BEO on the matter. If found guilty, disciplinary action may be initiated under departmental service rules.

What Triggered the Controversy

The issue reportedly began on September 26, the last working day of the first term, when headmasters of more than 110 government, aided, and municipal schools under Manapparai block were asked to send one teacher each to the Manapparai Municipality Elementary School warehouse.

Teachers said they were told to bring gunny sacks or bags, pack textbooks and notebooks meant for the second term, and transport them back to their respective schools, some located as far as 40 kilometres away.

This manual task — usually handled by contracted logistics staff — forced teachers to spend hours packing and lifting heavy loads.

Federation Condemns “Violation of Procedure”

The Tamil Nadu Elementary School Teachers Federation (TNESTF) condemned the BEO’s actions, calling it a clear violation of state norms. According to government procedure, textbooks are supposed to be distributed directly to schools through officially arranged transport vehicles by the Textbook and Educational Services Corporation.

“The BEO has no authority to make teachers do this kind of work. It’s humiliating and goes against the spirit of the department’s orders,” said R. Jayavel, a representative of TNESTF. The federation also accused the official of misusing authority and disregarding teachers’ dignity.

Following the viral videos, the federation sent a written complaint to the Directorate of Elementary Education, demanding immediate suspension of the BEO pending the inquiry.

Teachers Express Frustration

Many teachers involved in the incident shared their experiences anonymously, expressing frustration over being treated as labourers rather than educators.

“We were asked to come to the warehouse with our own transport. Some teachers hired auto-rickshaws or borrowed vehicles. It took us almost an entire day to pack and carry the books back. This is not what we’re meant to do,” one teacher said.

Another teacher added that the timing of the task — on the last working day before term holidays — made it even more stressful. “We were supposed to wrap up academic work and prepare progress reports that day, but this order disrupted everything.”

Videos Spark Public Outrage

Clips showing teachers packing and loading books into vehicles were widely shared on social media platforms. The videos sparked criticism from the public and education activists, many of whom questioned the BEO’s management approach and lack of logistical planning.

Activists pointed out that this is not an isolated incident and that teachers across the state are often asked to perform non-academic duties, including election work, census surveys, and clerical tasks.

“This is a recurring problem. Teachers are overburdened with administrative work, leaving little time for lesson planning or student support. It’s time for the government to strictly enforce boundaries,” said an activist from Tiruchy-based education reform group EduRights Tamil Nadu.