Patna: A teacher in Supaul has been suspended after being found asleep in a classroom while wearing jeans, a day after the education department barred teaching and non-teaching staff from wearing jeans and t-shirts during working hours.According to an education department communique issued on Saturday, special teacher Ajit Kumar, posted at Upgraded Boys’ Middle School in Jiwachhpur, was found sleeping on a chair with his feet placed on it during class hours. Education minister Mithilesh Tiwari ordered immediate action.“The inquiry found that the teacher was wearing jeans and sleeping with his feet on a chair during school hours. The department viewed the conduct as a serious dereliction of duty. It was against the interests of students and adversely affected the academic environment in the school,” Supaul DEO Sangram Singh said.The inquiry report termed his conduct detrimental to students’ interests and a violation of the Government Servants’ Conduct Rules. The disciplinary authority described it as gross negligence of duty and initiated action under the Bihar Special School Teacher (Amendment) Rules, 2024.The suspension follows a directive issued by additional chief secretary C K Anil on Friday, asking all district education officers to strictly enforce the formal dress code. Issued on the initiative of Tiwari, the order reiterated that staff must avoid informal attire during teaching and office hours.The department also flagged reports of DJs, disco events and other inappropriate activities on school premises, saying these affected the academic environment. Dance and music programmes will be allowed only on special occasions listed in the academic calendar and must maintain decorum.
