In a bid to tackle the growing issue of teacher absenteeism, particularly in remote areas, the state government has introduced a new initiative aimed at increasing accountability in government schools. The government has decided to display the photos of teachers in classrooms, along with details such as the subjects they teach and their contact information. This move is intended to curb the problem of “benami” (proxy) teachers, where a substitute is hired to teach in place of an absent teacher who may be engaged in personal activities elsewhere.
The initiative comes in response to concerns that students and parents, especially in rural areas, often do not know their teachers or are unaware of who is supposed to be teaching a particular class. By displaying teachers’ photos and contact information, the government hopes to allow parents and students to confirm whether the teacher present in the classroom is indeed the designated instructor. If a teacher is absent, the contact details displayed will enable concerned parties to directly reach out to confirm the absence and hold the teacher accountable.
Recent incidents have highlighted the need for such a measure. For instance, in Gangapur Tribal Welfare School, a teacher was found to have deployed a proxy to teach in his place. The impersonation was uncovered during a surprise visit by Khushboo Gupta, the ITDA project officer, who promptly suspended the teacher for the misconduct. In another case, a teacher from Talamadugumandal had left for overseas five months ago without proper authorization from the Education Department, leaving students without proper instruction.
The practice of sending proxies in place of absent teachers or leaving school after signing attendance registers has been reported in several remote areas. Some teachers have also been taking unapproved leave, resulting in a significant disruption to students’ education. These irregularities have raised concerns, especially as the state government has already made significant efforts to improve the infrastructure and amenities in government schools.
The new initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance the functioning of government schools, particularly in the undivided Adilabad district, which has 12,000 teachers working across 2,848 schools. These measures come on the heels of recent attempts to fill vacancies in schools through the DSc recruitment exam. While the government has been striving to improve the quality of education, the actions of a few negligent teachers have been depriving students of a proper education.
The move to display teachers’ photos has been welcomed by both parents and teachers alike. Parents are hopeful that this will make it easier to identify the teachers and hold them accountable for their attendance, while teachers recognize the importance of maintaining discipline and transparency in the educational process.
With absenteeism and irregularities now being addressed through such practical measures, the government hopes this initiative will pave the way for a more effective and transparent educational system in the state.
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