MP teachers with less than 90% e-attendance to face suspension:School Education Dept seeks reports; principals and officials also face action

The Madhya Pradesh School Education Department has initiated its strictest action yet over e-attendance compliance, directing authorities to begin suspension proceedings against teachers whose e-attendance is below 90%. The Commissioner of Public Instruction has instructed all District Education Officers (DEOs) and Divisional Joint Directors to submit reports on such teachers by July 2. If the order is implemented, thousands of teachers across the state could face suspension. Madhya Pradesh has around 425,000 teachers serving at the primary, middle and higher secondary levels. E-attendance made mandatory from July 1 The department has made e-attendance mandatory for all teachers and academic staff with effect from July 1. Earlier, teachers with less than 90% e-attendance were barred from applying for voluntary transfers. The latest directive significantly escalates the action against non-compliant staff. Suspension after salary deduction measures Commissioner of Public Instruction Abhishek Singh said that the department had previously ordered salary deductions for teachers who failed to mark e-attendance. However, since full compliance was still not achieved, the continued failure to register attendance has been treated as a serious violation of government orders, prompting suspension proceedings. Principals and Officials also face action The Directorate of Public Instruction has also directed action against cluster principals who approved salary bills of teachers despite their failure to comply with e-attendance requirements. The order states that suspension and departmental proceedings should also be initiated against such principals. It further warned that if action reports are not submitted by July 2, the concerned DEOs and Divisional Joint Directors will also face disciplinary action. Teacher unions continue to oppose rule Teacher unions have been consistently opposing the 90% e-attendance requirement. Last month, several organisations submitted memorandums to the School Education Minister and senior officials, seeking relaxation in the rule. However, the department has not granted any exemption and has instead issued directions to initiate suspension proceedings against teachers who fail to meet the prescribed attendance threshold.