The Punjab School Education Department (SED) introduced a new monitoring system on Friday to ensure teacher attendance in public schools, aiming to improve the overall quality of education across the province.This system focuses on strict compliance with working hours for principals and teachers as part of a broader initiative to enhance educational standards and maintain school discipline.

According to a directive obtained by Dawn, the SED has instructed all school staff to adhere to specified duty hours, with surprise inspections by department officers to ensure compliance. The guidelines, issued on August 11, emphasize that principals and teachers must stay in school until 2:30 pm. The department has reinforced school timing regulations to improve operations and ensure educational activities run smoothly.

The SED has communicated these instructions to all District Education Authorities (DEAs) chief executive officers in Punjab, stressing the importance of adhering to the previously issued schedule.Teachers are now required to prepare lesson plans, engage in professional development, and participate in academic and extracurricular activities during extended school hours and alternate Saturdays. The department warned that no leniency would be tolerated, and officers are responsible for ensuring full compliance.