Female Teacher at Government School Refuses to Mark E-Attendance: Says, ‘My Mobile, My Data, I Won’t Share It with a Third-Party App’

Digital Desk

The incident took place at the Government Higher Secondary School in Maharajpur, Jabalpur.

The School Education Department recently made e-attendance mandatory for all teachers across the state, with most teachers adhering to the new rule. However, Jyoti Pandey, a teacher at the Government Higher Secondary School in Maharajpur, was issued a notice by the principal for not marking her attendance. But her response has taken many by surprise.

In a message sent via WhatsApp, Jyoti Pandey stated:

“My mobile is mine, my data is mine, and it holds everything from bank details to family photos and private documents. Given this, I cannot allow access to a third-party app.”

She further explained that the government had not provided her with a mobile phone or SIM card, and that using her personal phone to mark attendance could expose her to risks like data theft and cybercrime.

Notice Issued to Four Teachers

Based on information from the senior office, the school principal issued a notice to all teachers, questioning why they were not marking their attendance on the government-mandated "Hamare Shikshak" (Our Teachers) app. Notices were sent to four female teachers at the school, three of whom cited technical difficulties. However, Jyoti Pandey’s response on October 21 stood out.

In her reply to the principal, Jyoti Pandey mentioned several concerns:

Attendance was not marked during the Diwali holidays from October 18 to 23.
If the government does not provide any assurance or indemnity policy for data and cybersecurity, she could not allow access to her mobile phone by a third-party app.
There are times when she has to leave her mobile at home for her daughter's studies.
Her phone contains sensitive information, including bank account details and Aadhaar, making it vulnerable to financial fraud if accessed through the app.
If the government provides a separate SIM and phone, she would be willing to use the app for attendance.

She also pointed out that this issue is currently being reviewed by the Madhya Pradesh High Court.

Teachers' Union Supports the Teacher's Stance

Bharat Patel, the state president of the Azad Adhyapak Sangh (Free Teachers' Union), supported Jyoti Pandey’s position, calling it entirely justified. He alleged that there have been multiple cases of data theft and cyber fraud linked to the e-attendance app. Many teachers have reported unauthorized withdrawals from their bank accounts and unwanted calls received through the app.

Patel suggested that the government should find an alternative way for teachers to mark their attendance without forcing them to use their personal phones.

District Education Officer Comments

District Education Officer Ghanshyam Soni stated, “I am not aware of this notice, but it is clear that government orders must be followed in all cases. The government has made rules for e-attendance, which most teachers are complying with. A decision will be made soon regarding this matter.”