Patna: The government of Bihar has introduced stricter rules in elementary schools, making it mandatory for teachers to record student attendance during the very first period of the day. The move comes as part of an effort to bring greater discipline and transparency to the school system, particularly in the implementation of welfare schemes. Officials have said that attendance recorded later in the day will no longer be accepted, as it can lead to inaccuracies and misuse of resources meant for students.
According to an order issued by Vinayak Mishra, any attendance marked after the first period will be treated as fraudulent. The directive has been sent to all district education officers and programme officers responsible for monitoring schools. Authorities have warned that if such irregularities are found, strict disciplinary action will be taken against the teachers concerned. The government’s message is clear: accuracy in attendance is essential and cannot be compromised.
The decision is closely linked to the functioning of the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, under which meals are provided to students based on daily attendance. The government has made it clear that the preparation of meals must depend only on the attendance recorded in the first period. Special emphasis has also been placed on the distribution of eggs and fruits, which are part of the weekly menu. Reports from inspections had revealed that in some schools, children were not receiving these items, prompting the authorities to take a stricter approach.
In addition to attendance rules, the education department has also announced that admissions for Class 9 in Model Schools across the state will remain open until April 30. Students will be selected based on their marks in the entrance examination, with a minimum requirement of 50%. Each school has at least 40 seats, and if not enough students qualify, others may be considered based on their Class 8 results. Officials believe that these steps will not only improve discipline in schools but also ensure that educational opportunities remain accessible to deserving students.
