Allahabad High Court Slams Rampant Teacher Absenteeism in Primary Schools

Justice Praveen Kumar Giri made the remarks while hearing a petition filed by Indra Devi, Head Teacher at a composite school in Pailani, Banda district, who challenged her suspension order dated August 30, 2025. The suspension was issued after a surprise inspection by the District Magistrate found that the head teacher and most staff members were absent from school during working hours without prior intimation.

The petitioner sought quashing of the order and a direction to be allowed to continue as Head Teacher with regular payment of salary. However, the court refrained from granting immediate relief, instead turning its attention to what it termed a “systemic failure” in ensuring accountability among government school teachers.

Justice Giri observed that the court was being “flooded with petitions” relating to teacher attendance and non-attendance, describing it as a “disturbing pattern” that undermines the objectives of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009. Court noted that the absence of teachers has a cascading effect on the education system, reducing academic achievement, increasing inequality, and overburdening those teachers who remain sincere to their duties.

"Without proper attendance of the teacher as well as staff of the primary institution, the purpose of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 shall be frustrated and thus the fundamental right of education of the children belongs to the poor villagers, shall be violated by the teachers who are not appearing in time and imparting education up to the period fixed for teaching in the institution," the court observed.

In a cultural reflection, Justice Giri drew on ancient Sanskrit texts to remind teachers of their sacred duty. Quoting the verse “Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu, Guru Devo Maheshwara”, the court remarked that the position of a teacher in society has historically been held in the highest regard.

“A self-disciplined person as a teacher, their conduct should not be regulated by any statute,” the court said, urging educators to treat their profession as a pious responsibility rather than a mere government job.

Highlighting the administrative lapses, court pointed out that although the Uttar Pradesh government had introduced digital attendance and constituted task forces at district and block levels to monitor teacher presence, these measures were not effectively implemented.

It directed the Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary (Basic Education), and senior officials from the Social Welfare and Minority Departments to submit concrete proposals ensuring that teachers remain present for the full duration of school hours.

Further, the District Magistrate and Basic Shiksha Adhikari of Banda were asked to file reports on the functioning of the local task forces responsible for school inspections. The Chief Standing Counsel and counsel for the Basic Education Board were directed to seek detailed instructions on the attendance mechanism and report compliance at the next hearing, scheduled for October 30, 2025.

Case Title: Indra Devi vs. State of UP and 2 Others

Order Date: October 16. 2025

Bench: Justice Praveen Kumar Giri