No U-turn on E-attendance in MP:Minister says teachers use mobiles all day, so why object to attendance?

The government is not in the mood to give any kind of concession on the decision to implement the e-attendance system in the School Education Department of Madhya Pradesh. Even after the recent statement by School Education Minister Uday Pratap Singh, teacher organizations are continuously protesting against it. The minister has clearly stated that when teachers use mobile phones all day, there should be no problem in marking e-attendance. Meanwhile, teacher organizations say that they are not against e-attendance, but it should be implemented in a fair and sensitive manner. Also, the government should formulate a clear policy on the use of teachers’ personal mobile phones, internet, and SIM cards. Two days ago, during his visit to Betul, School Education Minister Uday Pratap Singh said that there is no problem in implementing e-attendance. He said, “When teachers use mobile phones all day, what is the problem in marking e-attendance?” The minister stated that where there is a network problem, the government is trying to find solutions, and full attention is being paid to the dignity and practical difficulties of teachers posted in such locations. They also said that in the state, network-related issues arose at about 1,000 places in recent days, but the salary of any teacher posted at those places was not deducted. The government claims that no employee will be subjected to injustice due to technical problems. Teachers’ Association said – Salary deduction and punitive action are inappropriate The Madhya Pradesh Teachers’ Association has also submitted a memorandum to School Education and Transport Minister Uday Pratap Singh, expressing serious objection to the orders issued by the Directorate of Public Instruction regarding e-attendance. The association has demanded that the order issued on July 1, 2026, which provides for salary deduction if e-attendance is not recorded, and disciplinary and suspension action against the concerned drawing and disbursing officers, be immediately revoked. State President of the association, Dr. Kshatravir Singh Rathore, State General Secretary Rakesh Gupta, and Provincial Treasurer Vinod Kumar Puni said that the department itself has admitted that e-attendance is being successfully recorded in almost 90 percent of schools in the state, and its success rate is 94 to 95 percent in most districts. Despite this, it is not fair to blame teachers for problems arising from remaining technical reasons and deduct their salaries. ‘Neglect of practical-technical and human aspects’ D.K. Singour, President of the Tribal Welfare Teachers Association Madhya Pradesh, said regarding e-attendance – If the government wants to increase transparency by using technology like e-attendance, then no one can object to its objective. However, in the form in which e-attendance is being implemented, many practical, technical, and human aspects appear to be overlooked. Assuming absence based on the machine is wrong Assuming a teacher absent solely based on the machine’s attendance report and taking actions like salary deduction without hearing their side is not in accordance with the principles of natural justice. Singaur states that a teacher’s responsibility is not limited to teaching in the classroom. They also have to perform many administrative and governmental tasks. Often, they also have to go outside the school premises for departmental meetings, training, surveys, exam-related work, election duties, community coordination in the interest of students, and essential school arrangements.
Permission has been sought from the Supreme Court through the Solicitor General School Education Minister Singh has stated regarding the teachers’ eligibility test that permission has been sought from the court through the Solicitor General in the case of teachers who appeared for the examination between 2005 and 2009. It has been said that these teachers got jobs based on the government’s eligibility test. If the court grants a concession, it’s fine, otherwise, the examination will have to be conducted.