India, June 27 -- Government and aided schools across Maharashtra are reporting staff shortages after teachers were directed to work full-time on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, prompting concerns over the impact on classroom teaching.

Teachers began SIR training on June 20, following which several Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) instructed school principals to relieve them from regular classroom duties until the voter roll revision exercise is completed.

Teachers, parents and management of schools say the move has disrupted classes, particularly in schools already facing shortages of teaching staff.

A teacher at a BMC school said just one teacher is currently handling 178 students from Classes I to VIII...