The Allahabad High Court has directed the State of Uttar Pradesh to frame solid policy on attendance of teachers in rural schools and suggested that it be recorded digitally.

The Court was considering a Writ Petition in which it has previously passed the order directing the State authorities to come out with a policy which should be practical on the ground in respect of attendance of the teacher.

The Bench of Justice Praveen Kumar Giri observed, "The State Government is directed to come with a solid solution ensuring attendance of the teacher in the institution where the children of poor villagers are studying."

The Petitioner was represented by Advocate Harsh Narayan Singh, while the Respondent was represented by C.S.C.

In its earlier order, the Court had directed the authorities to come out with a policy which should be practical on the ground in respect of attendance of the teacher in the institution as the same is going on in the added educational institution or in other department of the State, otherwise without teacher, teaching is not possible and the children of poor villagers will be deprived of the educational guaranty provided under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 and also adopted by the State Government in 2011 as well as Article 21, 21A and Article 14 of the Constitution of India.

"After independence, there is no mechanism in the teaching department for ensuring attendance of the teachers at the ground level. If the government had made any measure for attendance of teachers, the dispute would not have come before this Court. Therefore, in the era of technology, the attendance of teacher should be recorded at the time prescribed under the Rules and Acts through virtual/elecronic mode", the Court noted.

Noting that some relaxation may be granted to the teacher if they are coming late for five to ten minutes due to some reasons and not habitual, but they have to be present in the institution everyday, while the attendance of the teachers should be at 10.00 O' Clock or as the time fixed at the time of prayer, the Court asked the Petitioner to giving undertaking that she is ready to upload her signature as well as attendance as provided by the electronic gadget on the prescribed portal.

"If the petitioner comes out with such an undertaking that she shall not repeat such thing in future and will upload her attendance on time through electronic gadget, the Court will take lenient view and may quash the impugned order without entering into the merits of the case granting pardon as this has happened first time and it will not be repeated in future", the Court observed.

The matter was accordingly listed for November 10, 2025.

Cause Title: Indra Devi v. State Of U.P. And 2 Others

Appearances:

Petitioner- Advocate Harsh Narayan Singh, Advocate Prabhakar Awasthi

Respondent- C.S.C., Advocate Rajesh Khare

Click here to read/ download Order



Allahabad High CourtJustice Praveen Kumar Giri

Sheetal Joon