Govt School Teachers Challenge App-Based Attendance System, MP High Court Directs State To Verify Training And Infrastructure Claims

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has directed the State and government teachers to file their affidavits on whether any training was provided to the teachers to mark their attendance on the "Humare Shikshak" app, and if so, whether the teachers participated in the same or not. The bench also directed the teachers to file individual affidavits indicating whether they attempted to mark their attendance through the App and, if so, whether they were unable to do so due to the unavailability of network. The bench of Justice Maninder S Bhatti said:"Learned counsel for the State is, therefore, directed to obtain instructions as to whether the present petitioners were required to participate in the aforesaid training, and if so, whether they actually attended the same or not. The petitioners are further directed to file individual affidavits indicating whether they made any attempt to mark their attendance through the "Hamare Shikshak App" and, if so, whether they were unable to do so due to unavailability of network connectivity. Such affidavits shall be filed by each petitioner positively before the next date of hearing". These observations were made in a writ petition challenging a circular issued by the MP Directorate of Public Instructions dated June 20, 2025, and a subsequent consequential order mandating the exclusive use of the mobile application "Humare Shikshak" for recording attendance of teachers across the State.The teachers contended that the imposition of linking salary disbursement and initiation of disciplinary proceedings to compliance with the app was 'onerous, arbitrary, and disproportionate'. It was asserted that many teachers lacked the technological resources, internet access or training to operate the application effectively.Additionally, it was contended that the circular and consequential orders disregard the practical reality of rural life and remote areas, compelling teachers to use their private mobile phones for official purposes. The impugned circular imposed a rigid system without transitional safeguards, causing grave hardship and financial insecurity to thousands of teachers. It was contended that the impugned circular violated the fundamental right of privacy by mandating the collection of sensitive biometric and geolocation data without any statutory safeguards. Therefore, the teachers sought to quash the impinged circular and order with directions to permit alternative modes of attendance until proper infrastructure is put in place. On October 9, the counsel for the State had submitted that training for marking e-attendance through the App was scheduled for the last week of July 2025. He also submitted a copy of the communications issued by the Public Instructions Commissioner of Bhopal, dated July 21, 2025, addressed to all District Education Officers across the state. However, the petitioners contended that they were never called to participate in any such training programme. The bench directed the state to obtain instructions to verify whether the teachers were called to participate in the training programme or not. Additionally, it was instructed to file a counter-affidavit to produce documents demonstrating that 73% of the employees had already marked their attendance through the App. Additionally, the bench directed; "Learned counsel for the State is also directed to file a counter-affidavit bringing on record the documents to demonstrate that 73% of the employees have already marked their attendance through the "Hamare Shikshak App". He shall further seek instructions from the concerned Schools where the petitioners are presently posted and produce data relating to e-attendance marking by other employees of those Schools". The case was listed for October 27, 2025. Case Title: Satyendra Singh Tiwari v State [WP-39386-2025]For Petitioner: Advocates Anshuman Singh and Vasu JainFor State: Government Advocates Pradeep Singh and Lalit JoglekarClick here to read/download the Order

Govt School Teachers Challenge App-Based Attendance System, MP High Court Directs State To Verify Training And Infrastructure Claims

Jayanti Pahwa

Tags