The Allahabad High Court has instructed the Uttar Pradesh government to develop a strong solution to address teacher absenteeism, particularly in village schools where economically disadvantaged children study. Justice Praveen Kumar Giri issued this directive while hearing a case involving Indra Devi, a teacher from a composite institution in Pailani, Banda district, who was suspended after allegedly being absent during an unexpected inspection by the district magistrate. The court highlighted that the lack of an effective attendance mechanism since Independence has seriously harmed the constitutional right to education for poor children. Earlier, on October 16, the court had ordered the state to create a practical policy for monitoring attendance in educational institutions. The government was also asked to report the measures taken to ensure teacher presence. The next hearing is scheduled for November 10.
Court Orders Technology-Based Attendance System
In its order dated October 30, the court emphasized that in the current technological era, teacher attendance should be recorded through virtual or electronic methods at the time prescribed by rules and laws. The state's standing counsel informed the court that a meeting was conducted under the chairmanship of the chief secretary following earlier court directions. Justice Giri stated that while minor delays could be treated with some leniency, habitual absenteeism must not be tolerated. The court stressed that a robust system is essential to protect the educational rights of children in rural areas, where most students come from poor families.
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