Is it permissible for teachers to perform congregational prayer in the schoolyard, leaving students unattended in their classrooms during working hours?

If it is possible to perform the prayer in congregation with the students, that is a good deed for which one will be rewarded, due to the reward of congregational prayer for all, and habituating the students to prayer. This is based on the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "Order your children to pray when they are seven, beat them for it when they are ten, and separate them in their beds."

Some scholars are of the view that this address is not exclusive to parents but includes others who are not relatives, because it falls under enjoining good.

Therefore, the teacher should encourage the students to pray and to maintain their prayers in congregation at the mosque. If it is not possible to take them out for prayer, then it is not permissible to delay the prayer beyond its time under the pretext of being busy with studies. The students can be advised to maintain discipline when going for prayer, and one of them can be entrusted with supervising them.