As many as 132 teachers were found absent from duty during a surprise check carried out on Thursday by a team of the State Education Department in Government schools of three districts in Punjab.
The teams conducted the exercise to maintain punctuality and discipline in Punjab Government-run schools in Jalandhar, Faridkot and Patiala districts, a spokesman said.Sixty nine teachers were absent, 63 had not been attending schools since long and 84 had come late, he said.This is the second special surprise check in last three days. On Tuesday, department’s special teams conducted surprise checks in 984 schools in which total 35 teachers were found absent, while 51 teachers were late whereas 23 teachers were found long time absentees.
“Following the directions of Education Minister Daljit Singh Cheema, the special teams are conducting surprise checks throughout the state to ensure punctuality and discipline,” he said.Immediately after opening the schools, special teams visited 426 schools of Jalandhar Circle, 187 schools of Nabha (Patiala) Circle and 219 schools of Faridkot Circle.“Forty-four teachers were found absent in Jalandhar Circle and 63 were late comers while 37 found long time absentee. In Nabha (Patiala) Circle, nine teachers were found absent, nine late comers and 11 were long time absentee. Similarly, in Faridkot Circle, 16 teachers were found absent, 12 late comers and 15 were found long time absentee,” said the spokesperson.
Education Minister Cheema said that strict action would be taken against long time absentee teachers while necessary action according to department rules would also be initiated against those found absent and late comers.