Ensure students don't bunk classes: Delhi govt to schools

The Delhi government has asked all private schools in the national capital to ensure their students do not bunk classes and is also contemplating action against teachers whose pupils are found playing truant.

From increasing the height of boundary walls and installing CCTV cameras to taking attendance of the students at least twice a day, the government has come up with a list of 14 suggestions to check bunking. "Of late, it has been observed that some students try to bunk classes simply to enjoy roaming in public places, parks, roads, etc. Innocent students do not realise that by bunking classes, they are not only causing loss to their studies but also endangering their own lives," the Directorate of Education (DoE) said in a letter to school principals.

"It is all the more important for teachers and heads to ensure that no student leaves the premises before the school is closed. Once a student has come to school, the class teacher, subject teachers, the PET and the head of the school must ensure he/she does not leave the premises till the last period is over," it added. Directing principals and vice-principals to make frequent rounds of classrooms and school premises, DoE said, "The department is contemplating strict action against those teachers and heads of schools whose students are found roaming out of school after having got their attendance marked.

"The heads must ensure that all teachers reach classes within two-three minutes of the ringing of bells. No leniency in this regard can be justified. If a student is found absent from the class (after having been present in the assembly), his/her parents must be called to school promptly through written notice or phone calls." The parents should be advised to ensure that their wards remain in the school throughout the day and not bunk classes, the circular added.