Patna: Thirty-three teachers in Bihar’s Gopalganj district are under scrutiny for allegedly marking their attendance online or through biometric systems while remaining nearly 100 kilometres away from their respective schools.
The district administration has intensified its response to the matter and directed the District Education Officer (DEO) to submit a compliance report within three days. The instruction follows the non-submission of an action-taken report despite earlier directives.
Reminder Issued After Delay in Report
According to a reminder letter issued by the Special Officer of the District Confidential Branch, Gopalganj, the DEO had previously been instructed to take necessary action and furnish a compliance report regarding the case.
As the stipulated deadline expired without any report being submitted, the administration issued a fresh reminder seeking immediate compliance.
Attendance Allegedly Marked from Distant Locations
The issue surfaced during an official inquiry, which reportedly found that several teachers had marked their attendance online or through biometric devices from locations nearly 100 kilometres away from their schools.
Education department officials treated the matter as a serious irregularity and sought explanations from the teachers concerned. A departmental investigation was subsequently initiated.
Suspension Among Possible Consequences
The latest communication directs the DEO to submit the compliance report within three days so that the District Magistrate can be apprised of the current status of the inquiry.
Officials said action would be taken against those found responsible after the investigation is completed. The department is examining the matter in detail and may initiate disciplinary proceedings, including suspension, if the allegations are substantiated.
The case has triggered concern within the education department, with authorities focusing on fixing accountability and preventing similar violations in the future.
