CHANDIGARH: At least 58 teachers were found absent on Tuesday during surprise checks in 984 government schools in Punjab."The exercise was conducted on the directive of education minister Daljit Singh Cheema," an official spokesman said here, adding that the idea behind the action was to check punctuality and discipline in state government-run schools.Special teams carried out checks in three circles — Jalandhar, Faridkot and Nabha (Patiala) — at the same time, he said.During the checks, 35 teachers were found absent while 51 teachers were late whereas 23 teachers were found not coming to schools since long.The spokesman said that special teams visited 396 schools of Jalandhar circle, 328 schools of Nabha (Patiala) circle and 260 schools of Faridkot circle.He said that 16 teachers were found absent in Jalandhar circle and 40 were late comers while 11 were found long time absentee. In Nabha (Patiala) circle, six teachers were found absent, nine late comers and five were long time absentee.Similarly, in Faridkot circle 13 teachers were found absent, two late comers and seven were found long time absentee. Action will taken against the defaulting teachers, he said.