Panaji, Mar 24 (IANS): The Goa administration has threatened government primary teachers with jail if they avoid the census survey. The education department is unhappy with the order.

The directive was sent to all assistant district education inspectors, to be served on all primary schools.

"The failure to abide by it will attract (charges under) the Indian Penal Code and they (teachers) would face (jail for) up to three years," said the order issued by the deputy collector of Panaji.

Speaking to IANS, director Celsa Pinto said her education department was trying to get the order cancelled.

"If all teachers leave school work, that would mean closing down schools and wrecking the mid-day meal scheme," Pinto said.

Pinto said that to supplement the workforce needed for the census survey, teachers from government-aided schools should also be roped in.

She said with the final semester exams around the corner, it will be unfair on the students if all teachers were compulsorily sent on census work.

Goa has more than 1,000 government primary and aided schools. There are 4,000 government primary teachers in the state.