In a significant ruling, the Allahabad High Court has strongly urged the Uttar Pradesh government to find a robust and lasting solution to the problem of teacher absenteeism, especially in rural schools. These institutions primarily cater to students from Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), and their education is being severely hampered by teachers’ frequent absence.
Justice Praveen Kumar Giri, while presiding over a petition, emphasized the critical need for the state to inform the court about the specific actions being taken to ensure teachers are present in classrooms. The petition was filed by Indra Devi, a teacher from a composite institution in Pailani, Banda district, who had been suspended following an unannounced inspection by the district magistrate where she was reportedly absent.
The court pointed out a long-standing issue: the lack of an effective attendance monitoring system since India’s independence has directly infringed upon the constitutional right to education for disadvantaged children. This observation highlights a systemic failure that has persisted for decades.
Following a previous directive on October 16 to formulate a “practical” policy for monitoring attendance, the state’s standing counsel informed the court that a high-level meeting had been convened under the chief secretary’s chairmanship. This indicates some movement towards addressing the court’s concerns.
In its order dated October 30, the court underscored the importance of leveraging modern technology. It stated that “in the era of technology, the attendance of teachers should be recorded… through virtual/electronic mode.” This suggests a push towards digital solutions for real-time and transparent monitoring.
While acknowledging that minor delays might warrant some understanding, Justice Giri firmly declared that “habitual absenteeism must not be tolerated.” This sends a clear message that repeated absences will face strict consequences.
The next hearing for this crucial matter has been scheduled for November 10, indicating the court’s intent to closely follow up on the government’s progress and ensure accountability.