Usually, it’s teachers who have to ensure that students show up in class. But what happens when it’s the teachers who are shirking their classroom duties? This is the case in Gujarat, the Estimates Committee of Vidhan Sabha told the education department.

The committee found that teachers who were serving as office-bearers in their respective unions were often found to be absent from class. As a result, the education department has now instructed district-level education officers to crack down on absenteeism.

“Details regarding poor attendance and irregularity among representatives of secondary and higher secondary education unions have come to the attention of the Estimate Committee,” the order states. It adds that education officers in each district are to take measures and appropriate “action to ensure regular performance and regular attendance in the school” with immediate effect. 

In addition, the department has also called for regular inspections by education inspectors and additional education inspectors to ensure that the truant teachers are back in the classroom.