The courtroom was unusually reflective on Tuesday as the Allahabad High Court dealt with a familiar but sensitive issue - teachers marked absent during school inspections. Justice Prakash Padia, speaking at length, made it clear that the case was not just about two suspended teachers, but about the future of primary education in Uttar Pradesh.
Two writ petitions, led by Indra Devi and Smt. Leena Singh Chauhan, questioned suspension orders passed by district education authorities. The teachers argued they were unfairly targeted for not being present during inspection hours.
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Background
The suspensions were ordered in July and August 2025 by District Basic Education Officers after surprise inspections found the teachers missing from their schools. With similar facts involved, the High Court heard both petitions together.
Earlier, in October, the court had already flagged that it was “flooded” with cases involving teacher absenteeism. The judge had then warned that without proper attendance, the Right to Education Act would be reduced to paper compliance only. The State was asked to explain what concrete steps were being taken on the ground.
In response, the government placed internal instructions and committee decisions before the court, pointing to plans for digital attendance and district-level task forces.
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Court’s Observations
Justice Padia’s order moved beyond technical arguments. The bench reflected deeply on the role of teachers, repeatedly referring to Indian tradition, scriptures, and Supreme Court rulings.
“The teacher is not merely an employee drawing salary,” the bench observed, adding that society places teachers on a moral pedestal because they shape young minds at the most formative stage.
The court noted that complaints about late arrivals and absence of teachers in rural primary schools were no longer isolated incidents. Such conduct, the judge said, directly affects poor village children and undermines their constitutional right to free and compulsory education.
Importantly, the court did not ignore the State’s responsibility either. It pointed out gaps in implementing digital attendance despite official orders and stressed that monitoring mechanisms must actually work on the ground.
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Decision
In the end, the High Court chose not to interfere with the suspension orders. However, it directed the disciplinary authorities to complete the pending proceedings against the teachers within two months.
At the same time, a clear mandate was issued to the Special Secretary, Basic Education, Uttar Pradesh, to take a firm policy decision and ensure that teachers are present in schools on time, with concrete steps to be finalised within three months. The writ petitions were accordingly disposed of.
Case Title: Indra Devi vs State of Uttar Pradesh and Others
Case No.: Writ – A No. 14242 of 2025 (along with Writ – A No. 15566 of 2025)
Case Type: Service Writ Petition (Teacher Suspension / Attendance Issue)
Decision Date: December 2, 2025
