A surprise inspection at a government primary school in the Uttarawan area of Mohanlalganj, Lucknow, exposed an alarming breakdown of accountability, where 23 out of 29 teachers were found absent without prior notice. The inspection, conducted by the Block Education Officer (BEO), has prompted immediate administrative action, including suspensions and salary stoppages.
The incident unfolded during a routine, unannounced visit to the school, which caters to the educational needs of nearly 400 children. To the shock of officials, only six teachers were present on duty. Even more concerning was the discovery that 12 teachers had signed in advance on the attendance register, a move the BEO termed as blatant forgery. The school鈥檚 headmaster, Swadesh Agnihotri, was also reported absent for the past two days without informing the authorities.
The BEO documented the inspection through video evidence and submitted a comprehensive report to the Basic Shiksha Adhikari (BSA), who immediately swung into action. On the basis of the findings, three teachers have been suspended with immediate effect, while salaries of 20 others have been frozen. All 20 have been served notices and must provide a written explanation within seven days or face harsher penalties.
鈥淭his is a deeply serious matter,鈥 said the BSA, adding that not only were the teachers absent, but fake attendance entries were also found. This reflects a grave lapse in duty and complete disregard for students鈥 education. A thorough investigation is underway, and those responsible will not be spared, the BSA said.
The consequences of such mass absenteeism are already visible in the classroom. With only six teachers to manage over 400 students, the learning process has come to a near standstill. Parents, outraged by the revelation, have voiced their concern and demanded stringent, ongoing monitoring of schools in the area.
鈥淭his is our children鈥檚 future at stake. If teachers don鈥檛 show up, what will our kids learn?鈥 said Rajesh Kumar, a parent who has two children enrolled at the school.
In response to the wider implications of the case, the BEO has now been directed to conduct random inspections at other schools in the Mohanlalganj block to identify and curb similar irregularities.