Report if female students absent for a week, Bengal govt tells schools
Times of India | 22 July 2026
Kolkata: The state education department has asked all school principals in Malda to report any girl student who is absent for seven days in a row without prior notice.
The order was issued by the District Inspector of Schools, Secondary Education, Malda. It is part of the state’s Standard Operating Procedure to prevent child trafficking, early marriage and exploitation of girls. The rule applies to all government-controlled and aided schools from classes 5 to 12.
The project has started in Malda and will later be introduced in all districts, including Kolkata.
The move comes after two schoolgirls from Malda were recently lured by an international trafficking racket and found in Siliguri. They had left home in school uniforms but later changed clothes. Investigators found that the school had not checked on them, even though their parents said the girls had gone out wearing school uniforms.
Under the new order, school heads must identify girl students who are absent for more than a week without informing the school. They must submit details through a Google Form by July 28. After that, schools will have to send such reports every two weeks.
The report must include the student’s name, class, guardian’s name and contact number.
Class teachers have also been asked to speak to students every day about possible trafficking tactics. Students must be told how to report anything suspicious immediately.
Schools must also submit a monthly Action Taken Report by the 7th of every month.
Officials said the attendance tracking system will work as an early warning system. It will help authorities act quickly if a girl student suddenly stops coming to school and may be at risk of trafficking, forced labour or early marriage.
Social activist Rishi Kant of NGO Shakti Vahini welcomed the step. He said community vigilance and student tracking can help reduce trafficking.