As the District Education Officer, you receive credible information that some teachers in remote schools are marking attendance f…

Question

As the District Education Officer, you receive credible information that some teachers in remote schools are marking attendance for their absent colleagues. These teachers are locally influential and popular in the community.

What would be the most appropriate and ethical course of action?

1. A. Ignore the issue since teaching activities are continuing
2. B. Privately warn the teachers to correct their behaviour
3. C. Conduct surprise inspections, collect evidence, and initiate disciplinary action as per rules (Correct answer)
4. D. Transfer the concerned teachers quietly without any formal inquiry

Correct Answer

Option C — Conduct surprise inspections, collect evidence, and initiate disciplinary action as per rules

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Conduct surprise inspections, collect evidence, and initiate disciplinary action as per rules.

Key Points

• Proxy attendance is misconduct and also a fraud on public funds, so it cannot be overlooked.
• The correct sequence is evidentiary: surprise inspections to establish the facts, collect evidence, then disciplinary action as per rules.
• Following the prescribed procedure makes the action defensible despite the teachers' local influence.

Additional Information

• Option A normalises the practice and harms the very students in remote schools.
• Option B (a private warning) leaves no record and no deterrent.
• Option D (a quiet transfer) moves the problem elsewhere and rewards misconduct with a change of posting.
• Local popularity is not a mitigating factor in service law; it is a reason to be more, not less, procedurally careful.

*Ministry of Papers worked solution. The Commission has not yet published the official key for this paper; this answer will be reconciled with it on release.*