Patna: Despite stringent measures by the government, instances of fake enrollment and fraudulent attendance records continue to plague government schools in Bihar. Reports suggest that such malpractices are being carried out with the collusion of headmasters and teachers, raising questions about the effectiveness of inspections conducted by district and headquarters officials.
Taking cognizance of the issue, Additional Chief Secretary of the Education Department, Dr. S Siddharth, issued a stern warning to education officials across the state on Tuesday (10th December). He emphasized that immediate corrective action must be taken or those found guilty would face stringent penalties, including suspension or dismissal.
Dr. Siddharth revealed in his letter that a recent inspection carried out by independent observers over the past month uncovered widespread irregularities in schools. While some schools showed notable improvements due to the efforts of dedicated teachers, others were riddled with fraud and negligence. Instances of inflated attendance figures, forged records, and disinterest among educators were highlighted in the inspection report submitted by District Education Officers (DEOs).
The report disclosed that several schools claimed over 50% student attendance on paper, while actual attendance was significantly lower. It was found that many students enrolled in government schools are attending private schools or coaching classes instead. They only appear in government schools during examinations to maintain their enrollment status.
The letter also pointed out several lapses in the conduct of teachers and principals:
– Fake Attendance Records: Principals and teachers have been accused of recording inflated student attendance figures to portray normalcy.
– Neglect of Teaching Duties: Some teachers spend minimal time in classrooms, with their primary focus being on marking attendance rather than teaching.
– Absenteeism During School Hours: Many teachers leave school premises during working hours for personal errands, returning only to ensure their attendance is marked.
– Proximity Issues: Teachers residing near schools were found to be especially negligent, devoting little to no effort toward academic duties.
Dr. Siddharth also reprimanded inspecting officials for their failure to identify such blatant misconduct during regular school inspections. He called this oversight a “serious lapse” and hinted at possible complicity by the officers themselves. The Additional Chief Secretary directed DEOs to take immediate action upon detecting discrepancies and warned that officials failing to address the issue would face departmental inquiries.
In his directive, Dr. Siddharth stressed the need for accountability at all levels of the education system. “The fraudulent practices in schools and the failure of inspectors to flag them show a lack of seriousness in ensuring quality education. This will not be tolerated,” he stated.
The Education Department has now vowed to crack down on schools engaging in such practices and will hold officials responsible for lapses in inspection and enforcement. This step aims to restore transparency and improve the state’s education system, which has long been criticized for its inefficiencies.
