Around 150 Government Teachers Missing From Schools In Gujarat

Gujarat: The Bhupendra Patel-led Gujarat government has launched an investigation into the absence of approximately 150 teachers from schools across the state without prior notice. The issue was flagged by several schools over the past week, revealing that many teachers have been missing from their duties, with some allegedly living abroad or on unauthorized leaves for extended periods.

Late on Tuesday night, the state government announced that 134 teachers have been issued show cause notices, with actions taken for their dismissal. The government highlighted its Control and Command Centre (CCC) for schools, which played a key role in identifying these absentee teachers.

Praful Pansheriya, the Minister of State for Primary, Secondary, and Adult Education, stated that by Monday, it was discovered that 32 teachers were residing abroad while another 32 were on unauthorized leave. He clarified that none of these teachers were receiving salaries, countering reports that suggested otherwise.

Pansheriya explained that information collected from 17 districts indicated that 32 teachers were overseas and 31 were on unauthorized leave. The department is continuing its investigation in other districts and will take legal action as necessary.

The situation came to light earlier this week when a teacher from Banaskantha district was found to be living in the United States for several years, receiving salaries until January of this year. Similar cases have emerged from other districts. Despite repeated attempts, officials from the state education department, including Principal Secretary Mukesh Kumar, were unavailable for comment.