The Government School Teachers’ Association (GSTA) of Delhi has called on the Directorate of Education to reschedule the Mid-Term Examination for Physical Education in Class 11 from October 31 to October 30, 2025, citing significant emotional and logistical challenges for educators on the brink of retirement. In a formal appeal dated October 18, 2025, GSTA General Secretary Ajay Veer Yadav highlighted the "insensitive and impractical" timing, noting that the original date of October 18 was scrapped due to a clerical error in the scheduling branch, only to be replaced with a date clashing with end-of-month formalities. This move, Yadav argued, disregards the profound personal milestone that retirement represents for hundreds of veteran teachers in Delhi's government schools, where October 31 traditionally serves as the final working day under the academic calendar aligned with the financial year.
The contention stems from the emotional weight of retirement ceremonies, which Yadav described as "immense" gatherings involving family, colleagues, and dignitaries to honour decades of service. For many teachers, these events—often held in school auditoriums or community halls—mark a poignant farewell, complete with speeches, mementos, and cultural performances, fostering a sense of closure amid professional transitions. Forcing invigilation duties on this day, the association contends, would rob educators of participation, exacerbating stress during an already vulnerable period. Yadav's letter to the Directorate and Education Minister Atishi Marlena emphasised the need for empathy, stating that such oversights undermine teacher morale at a time when Delhi's public education system relies on experienced faculty to mentor the next generation. With over 1,000 retirements anticipated in the 2025-26 fiscal year, per Delhi government data, the issue affects a substantial portion of the workforce, potentially disrupting exam integrity if understaffed.
This demand arrives amid broader scrutiny of Delhi's education scheduling, which has faced criticism for administrative glitches in recent years. A similar controversy in 2024 involved overlapping Diwali holidays and exams, leading to protests and a one-day postponement after intervention from the Delhi High Court. The Directorate of Education, under the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) administration, has prioritised digital reforms like the U-Learn portal for seamless scheduling, but critics argue that human-centric oversights persist. Yadav's appeal aligns with ongoing dialogues between teacher unions and the government, including the recent formation of a joint committee in September 2025 to address workload concerns, where retirement accommodations were flagged. In his plea, Yadav urged swift issuance of a revised notification, warning that inaction could prompt escalated actions like statewide representations during the upcoming festive break.
Also Read: Delhi Schools to Introduce RSS, Freedom Fighters Under New 'Rashtraneeti' Programme
As Diwali approaches on October 20, symbolising renewal and family bonds, the GSTA's push resonates with calls for more humane policies in education. Teachers, often underpaid and overburdened—earning an average of Rs 60,000 monthly against a national average of Rs 75,000—deserve dignity in their exits, advocates say. The Directorate has yet to respond, but sources indicate internal deliberations, potentially influenced by Minister Atishi's track record of teacher-friendly initiatives, such as the 2024 bonus hikes. Rescheduling to October 30 would minimally impact students while honouring commitments, underscoring the balance between academic rigour and personal well-being. As Delhi's schools prepare for holidays, this episode highlights the human side of bureaucracy, urging administrators to prioritise empathy in an era of high-stakes education reforms.
Also Read: NDA and INDIA Remain Silent on Bihar CM Candidate Creating Voter Speculation