Patna: Over 40 per cent of school students were found skipping classes during surprise inspections last week.

Last Thursday at least 5,000 field officials were sent to assess functioning of government establishments and the quality of services delivered.

Among anganwadi centres and others, 407 primary and middle schools were inspected. Inspection reports have been prepared for 393 primary schools.

Of 3,609 teachers in the schools, 124 were found absent without approved leave. Only 2,608 quality teachers were found and of more than 1.76 lakh children enrolled in the schools, only 99,000 were present.

The inspection reports also indicate that morning prayers were held in 383 schools, bells to signal end of class were used properly in 278 schools. Only 331 toilets were found.

The director of primary education has issued letters to 24 district education officers, asking them to stop salaries of the absent teachers and initiate disciplinary action against them. The teachers and school authorities also have to give explanation for the absence.

The education department's letter also asks the district education officers to seek an explanation for the teachers' absence from the faculty members and the school authorities.

Bihar chief secretary Deepak Kumar said elaborate deliberations were conducted before sending out the field officials, as the government wanted the personnel to get a first-hand account from the people about the services rendered.

The officials asked to conduct the surprise checks were briefed about the places they were supposed to visit just a few hours before the inspection. The places were decided upon by the state headquarters.

"We have received preliminary reports of the inspection outcome and once the detailed reports are available, corrective steps will be taken if deficiencies are found," said Deepak.