EXPLAINER: Teachers stepping out? Edu Dept wants to know how often

The Directorate of Secondary Education, Haryana, has mandated the maintenance of movement register in all government schools in the state. The teaching and non-teaching staff have been directed to update their movement in the register daily for every activity and movement outside the school during the school timing.

What made the department issue the directions?

The orders were issued in compliance with the recommendations made in the 10th Report (2024-25) of the Subject Committee, constituted in the Haryana Legislative Assembly, on education, technical education, vocational education, medical education and health services which was presented during the Budget session. The committee recommended that movement register should be maintained in all schools and checked by the higher authority. The committee also recommended that if any comments or remarks were given by the authority, action should be taken thereupon, as well as the complete report of movement register be placed before the committee at subsequent meetings.

What were the directions issued by the department?

To keep a check on the movement of the teaching and non-teaching staff and in compliance with the recommendation, the department decided to maintain a movement register to keep a record of the movement of the staff working at all government schools and ensure their accountability. The officials have been directed to get the format and guidelines issued by the department implemented. The block and district-level officers should check movement registers of at least 15 schools each month. If a school fails to properly maintain the movement register, a preliminary report should be sent to the district headquarters. The district headquarters will ensure further action on this report within 30 days, as per rules. The headquarters may randomly check the movement register of any school. If the guidelines are found to be violated, disciplinary action will be taken against the school head as per rules.

 What are the other directions to the staff and officials?

The officials have been told that the movement register should record the external activities of all employees during school hours, including their travel to the destination. If an employee does not leave the school on any given day, the movement register should still be maintained, with a cross-mark on the page corresponding to that day’s activity. The school head should record daily activities in the movement register and sign it with remarks.

What do the officials say about the guidelines?

A senior officer in the Education Department said it was observed that the staff members used to go outside the schools for various works, including meetings, seminar, visit to other departments and district offices, but didn’t return to the school after the work. The movement registers were already being used, but these were not maintained properly and the entries were incomplete. The decision will help in maintaining discipline in schools and appropriate action will be taken by the department if any negligence is observed.

Haryana Tribune