The Allahabad High Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh government to devise a strong and practical mechanism to ensure teachers’ attendance in rural schools, stressing that village children—mostly from poor families—suffer when teachers remain absent.
Justice Praveen Kumar Giri, hearing a petition filed by Indra Devi, a teacher from a composite school in Pailani, Banda district, remarked that the state must come up with a “solid” solution to address the problem of absentee teachers. The court also sought a detailed update on the measures taken by the government to ensure teachers attend schools regularly.
The petitioner, Indra Devi, had been suspended after she was allegedly found absent during a surprise inspection by the district magistrate. Contesting the suspension, she approached the court seeking relief.
Justice Giri observed that the absence of an effective teacher attendance system since Independence has “severely affected the constitutional right to education” of poor children who rely on government schools.
Referring to its earlier order dated October 16, the court reminded the state that it had already directed it to formulate a “practical policy” to monitor attendance in educational institutions.
During the latest hearing, the state’s standing counsel informed the court that a meeting was convened under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary in compliance with the earlier directions.
In its order dated October 30, the High Court said, “In the era of technology, the attendance of teachers should be recorded at the time prescribed under the Rules and Acts through virtual/electronic mode.” The court noted that while minor delays could be excused, habitual absenteeism “must not be tolerated.”
The matter has been posted for further hearing on November 10, when the state is expected to submit its compliance report outlining the steps taken to implement the court’s directions.
