Education Department: Allow Aadhaar Operators Into Private Schools

Hyderabad: The Telangana school education department has asked private schools and intermediate colleges to allow Aadhaar operators into their campuses after officials found that some institutions were not permitting teams to complete mandatory biometric updates for eligible students.

The instruction came after the director of school education and state project director, Samagra Shiksha, reviewed the progress of the MBU programme with officials of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). The review covered the status of Aadhaar biometric updates for school-going children and the steps needed to complete the work across the state without disruption to classes.

The director said all educational institutions must cooperate with Aadhaar teams, as the update is “essential for maintaining valid Aadhaar records of students and for facilitating various student-related services.” Schools have been asked to provide space, support and coordination to Aadhaar operators deputed by the department.

The department also conducted a video conference with district educational officers (DEOs) and field-level officials. DEOs were told to work closely with UIDAI and Aadhaar teams, and to share the visit schedules of Aadhaar operators with schools well in advance.

District officers were also instructed to convene meetings with private schools and intermediate institutions to explain the importance of the update programme.

The director said the programme should be carried out “without causing disturbance to regular academic activities.” The department called the MBU programme a “time-bound and important activity” and asked DEOs to monitor it regularly and submit progress reports.

Government, local body, aided and private schools, intermediate colleges and other educational institutions have been asked to extend full cooperation in the interest of students.