Guest Teachers’ 90% Attendance Rule: New District Committee Will Now Review Applications
The Directorate of Public Instruction (Lok Shikshan Sanchalanalaya), Madhya Pradesh, based in Gautam Nagar, Bhopal, has issued an important order on 05 July 2026. This order changes how applications from guest teachers who could not meet the mandatory 90% e-attendance requirement will be reviewed and decided. Click below to download the official circular PDF directly from the DPI portal:
Earlier, this process was handled centrally. Now, it has been decentralized, meaning each district will handle its own cases through a dedicated committee. This is expected to make the process faster, more accessible, and easier for guest teachers across the state. For more updates on guest teacher e-attendance, recruitment, and education department circulars, visit the Education Portal homepage regularly.
Order Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Issued by | Directorate of Public Instruction, Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal |
| Letter Number | Atithi Shikshak/2026/05-06 |
| Date of Issue | 05/07/2026 |
| Reference Letter | No. Atithi.Shi/2026-27/652, dated 30.06.2026 |
| Addressed To | All District Education Officers, Madhya Pradesh |
Background: Why This Order Was Needed
The reference letter dated 30.06.2026 (point 4.8) had introduced a system where guest teachers who fell short of the 90% e-attendance requirement could send a written explanation, called a representation, through email. This was originally handled at the directorate (state) level.
However, given the number of guest teachers across Madhya Pradesh and the variety of genuine reasons behind low attendance, the process is now being pushed down to the district level. This should reduce delays and let local authorities, who are more familiar with individual cases, take faster decisions.
What Changes for Guest Teachers?
Any guest teacher who worked during the 2025-26 academic session and either:
- Could not maintain 90% e-attendance due to genuine, unavoidable circumstances, or
- Has recorded attendance below 90%,
will now send their representation by email directly to their respective District Education Officer (DEO) office not to the state directorate. This update is based on the official circular issued by the Directorate of Public Instruction, Madhya Pradesh.
Formation of the District-Level Committee
To ensure fair and timely review, every district will now form its own three-member committee:
- Chairperson: District Education Officer (DEO)
- Members: Two other officials (details of these members will typically be notified separately by the district office)
This committee is responsible for examining every application along with its supporting documents and giving a final, rule-based decision.
Accepted Grounds for Low Attendance
The committee will primarily consider the following reasons while reviewing applications:
- Maternity leave or child care: For women guest teachers who needed leave for pregnancy, delivery, or caring for a young child.
- Competitive or academic examinations: Teachers who had to appear for an exam during work hours.
- Technical issues: Problems like poor or no internet/network connectivity that prevented marking e-attendance.
- Serious illness: Teachers who were seriously unwell and unable to attend.
- Marriage: Teachers who were absent due to their own wedding.
- Sudden death in the family: Teachers who had to attend to unexpected family bereavement.
What if the reason isn’t on this list?
The order also makes room for other genuine reasons not covered above. If a guest teacher has a valid, specific reason outside this list, the district committee is required to record the reason in writing and take an appropriate decision rather than rejecting the application outright.
Time-Bound Resolution
An important part of this order is the emphasis on timely disposal. It clearly states that all representations, regardless of the reason, must be resolved within a fixed time limit. This is meant to prevent guest teachers from facing long delays or uncertainty about their employment status.
Practical Steps for Guest Teachers
If you are a guest teacher affected by this rule, here’s what you should do:
- Check your e-attendance record for the 2025-26 session to confirm if it is below 90%.
- Identify your reason for low attendance from the list above (or note down your specific circumstance if it’s different).
- Prepare supporting documents for example:
- Medical certificates (for illness or maternity)
- Exam admit card or result (for competitive/academic exams)
- Marriage certificate or invitation (for marriage-related absence)
- Death certificate (for bereavement cases)
- Any proof of network/technical issues, if applicable
- Email your representation along with the documents to your District Education Officer’s office.
- Wait for the committee’s review, which is expected to be completed within the specified time limit. For more details, application updates, and guest teacher services, check the SEDERP Guest Teacher Portal.
Why This Matters
For guest teachers, this order is significant because it:
- Brings decision-making closer to home, at the district level.
- Recognizes that attendance shortfalls can happen for genuine, valid reasons not just carelessness.
- Sets a clear timeline, reducing uncertainty around job continuity.
- Leaves room for case-by-case consideration of reasons not explicitly listed.
