The Uttar Pradesh government has temporarily suspended the implementation of its digital attendance system for teachers following extensive protests by government school educators. The decision, announced on Tuesday, comes in response to the widespread opposition from teachers who have been vocally opposing the system since its rollout on July 8.
MK Shanmuga Sundaram, the principal secretary of basic education in UP, stated that an expert committee will be established to address the concerns and suggestions of teachers. This committee will comprise education department officials, members of teachers’ unions, and educationists. It will review all aspects of education and provide recommendations for improvement. The final decision on the digital attendance system will be based on the committee’s report.
The introduction of the digital attendance system faced immediate resistance, with only 2% of the 6.09 lakh teachers recording their attendance digitally on the first day. Compliance further dwindled by July 10, prompting teachers to take to the streets in protest.
The suspension decision followed a crucial meeting between education department officials and teachers’ representatives, chaired by Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh. During the meeting, UP Primary School Teachers’ Association president Dinesh Chandra Sharma and other teacher leaders voiced their concerns. Subsequently, it was agreed to form an expert committee to address the issues raised.
Teachers have clarified that their opposition is not against the online attendance system per se but against the lack of infrastructure and support needed for its effective implementation. “We are not opposing online attendance. But we have other demands that must be fulfilled before the implementation of the online attendance system,” said Vipin Bihari, a teachers’ leader.
In response to the protests, the government had already softened its stance. On July 12, the basic education department removed the 8:30 am restriction for uploading attendance, following Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s intervention. Teachers were allowed to use the digitized register app throughout the school day. Additionally, district-level field officers visited schools to assist and encourage teachers in using the Prerna app for uploading relevant information without pressuring them on attendance.
Teachers have highlighted several demands, including the provision of earned leave (EL) and casual leave (CL). Currently, there is no provision for these leaves, and teachers are advocating for 30 days of EL and 14 days of half CL. They also suggested the government could eliminate the June leave.
Vipin Bihari emphasized that the public misconception is that teachers are opposing online attendance. He clarified that no teacher in Uttar Pradesh is against online attendance; they only seek proper infrastructure and resolution of practical issues before its implementation.
The teachers’ cause has garnered support from various political leaders, including opposition figures and BJP MLAs and MLCs, who have written to the Chief Minister requesting a rollback of the digital attendance order.
The temporary suspension of the digital attendance system marks a significant step in addressing the concerns of UP’s government school teachers. The formation of an expert committee underscores the government’s commitment to resolving the issues and improving the education system. The focus now shifts to the committee’s findings and the subsequent actions to ensure a balanced and effective attendance system for the teachers.
Sources By Agencies
