Bhubaneswar: In a bid to enhance road safety and protect lives of teachers, Mohana block education officer (BEO) in Gajapati district has issued a directive to all elementary schoolteachers to wear helmets while riding motorcycles.
The mandate, which emphasises the importance of safety, stipulates that any teacher found not adhering to this rule will face severe penalties, including a deduction of one month’s salary.
“All the elementary teachers of the block are hereby directed to wear helmets while riding the bike for safety of life. Anyone seen without a helmet while riding the bike by the BEO or ABEO will be punished with held-up salary for one month,” read the notice.
This stern approach is aimed at creating awareness among the teachers about road safety and making teachers role models for others. “Teachers are role models. By adhering to safety regulations, they can influence their students and encourage them to follow similar practices. The primary goal here is to protect our teachers as they travel in hilly terrain and ghat roads to reach school every day. The penalty is a deterrent to ensure compliance, not to punish unnecessarily,” said Narendra Behera, BEO, Mohana.
According to sources, several incidents in recent months have highlighted the vulnerability of teachers commuting without proper safety gear. During the polls, a teacher on election duty died in a road accident. He had kept the helmet on his bike without wearing it.
“This is indeed a welcome decision. We need to prioritsze our safety. If this rule can save lives, then its worth following,” said Ramesh Pradhan, a teacher in the block.
“I understand the importance of safety and wearing a helmet is definitely a good practice, but the govt should cut salaries after one warning,” said Mitali Panda, an elementary schoolteacher.

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