The Madhya Pradesh School Education Department is preparing a new circular to address concerns surrounding the e-attendance system for teachers, with cluster principals likely to be given limited powers to provide relief in genuine cases where teachers are unable to mark attendance on time.
The move comes amid continued concerns raised by teachers over practical difficulties with the digital attendance system. According to School Education Commissioner Abhishek Singh, the system has now stabilised, with around 97-98% of teachers marking e-attendance every day.
The department is expected to issue detailed guidelines within the next 15 days, outlining the circumstances in which cluster principals can consider delays in e-attendance on practical grounds.
Cluster Principals to Get Limited Powers
Under the proposed arrangement, cluster principals will be authorised to consider genuine cases involving delayed e-attendance by teachers working in schools under their jurisdiction.
The department plans to clearly define the circumstances in which such relief can be granted. The guidelines are also expected to include safeguards to prevent arbitrary decisions and misuse of the relaxation.
The objective is to ensure that genuine technical or practical difficulties do not unnecessarily result in action against teachers while preventing habitual violations of the attendance system.
Genuine Problems to Be Considered
Commissioner Abhishek Singh said the department's objective is not to penalise or harass teachers but to make the attendance system more organised and effective.
According to the department, genuine practical difficulties in marking attendance will be considered. However, repeated failure to mark e-attendance or attempts to misuse the system could continue to invite action.
The department also plans to address other technical and operational problems being reported in the attendance software.
Teacher Groups Raised Technical Issues
The department has also received feedback from representatives of the Adhyapak Shikshak Sanyukt Morcha regarding difficulties being faced by teachers while using the e-attendance system.
Officials have indicated that the concerns raised by teachers will be examined and necessary improvements will be made to the software and system.
The proposed guidelines for cluster principals are expected to provide a more uniform approach across districts while ensuring that genuine cases are not treated in the same manner as habitual violations.
June Salary Held Over E-Attendance to Be Paid
A significant relief has also been announced for teachers whose June salary was withheld or deducted because of e-attendance-related issues.
Commissioner Singh said such teachers will be paid their withheld or deducted salary, provided their e-attendance records for July and August are being properly maintained.
However, the department has made it clear that salary deductions will continue in cases involving teachers who habitually arrive late or repeatedly fail to mark e-attendance.
System to Continue With Stricter Monitoring
The department's latest approach indicates that e-attendance will remain in place, but genuine technical and practical difficulties will be addressed through a more defined mechanism.
Teachers have also been advised to bring practical problems to the notice of their respective cluster principals, where they can be considered on a case-by-case basis.
The upcoming circular is expected to clarify the powers of cluster principals and establish clear conditions under which relief can be provided.
