Ghost Teacher: Gujarat Teacher Draws Salary in US, Probe Ordered

Vadodara: In a shocking revelation that has sent ripples through the Gujarat education department, a government primary school teacher has allegedly been drawing her salary while residing in the United States for the past eight years. Bhavna Patel, a head teacher at a primary school in Banaskantha district, is accused of manipulating the system to continue receiving her government emoluments despite being absent from her duties.

The case came to light when the in-charge principal of the school, Parul Mehta, raised concerns about Patel’s prolonged absence. According to Mehta, Patel, who holds a US green card, has been a permanent resident of Chicago since 2013. Despite her overseas domicile, her name continues to appear on the school’s payroll. To maintain the facade of fulfilling her duties, Patel reportedly visits Gujarat once a year, coinciding with the school’s Diwali vacation. However, during these brief visits, she neither attends school nor interacts with the students. This pattern of absenteeism has persisted for years, raising questions about the effectiveness of the education system and the accountability of government officials.

The allegations against Patel have triggered a thorough investigation by the Gujarat education department. Education Minister Kuber Dindor has ordered a probe into the matter, vowing to take strict action against the teacher if found guilty of unauthorized absence. Minister of State for Education Praful Pansheriya has also weighed in on the issue, asserting that Patel has not been paid her salary since January. Parents and school staff have expressed their outrage over the situation, claiming that students have suffered due to Patel’s prolonged absence. They have alleged that despite multiple complaints to education officials, little action has been taken to address the issue.

The revelation of a ‘ghost teacher’ drawing a government salary while living abroad has exposed serious lapses in the education system. It raises concerns about the possibility of similar cases going undetected and highlights the need for stricter monitoring and accountability measures. As the investigation unfolds, the Gujarat government faces the challenge of not only rectifying this particular case but also implementing reforms to prevent such incidents from recurring. The public is watching closely to see how the authorities handle this matter and whether they will take decisive steps to restore public confidence in the education system.