HYDERABAD: The plan to introduce the biometric attendance system in colleges and universities from this academic year has gained acceptance of colleges. Interestingly, school managements are also welcoming this move. Papi Reddy, chairperson of the Telangana State Council of Higher Education, said, “We have already instructed all the vice-chancellors and principals to start the biometric attendance system for students from this academic year. The plan is in the final stage and will be implemented in a month. The aim is to ensure that students are present in all the classes.” School managements have also shown interest in this project.
They feel that it will help keep a tab on students after the recent drug abuse cases, involving school students. The new digital plan will be discussed by the education department before introducing it at the school-level. Anitha Suresh, a teacher said, “The drug scandal, involving school students, raised many questions. Many concerned parents asked why the students were not present in the classes during the school hours. The biometric attendance system can ensure accountability.” Certain technical aspects of the biometric attendance system are yet to be sorted out.
Dr Narasimha Reddy, principal of Hyderabad Public School, Ramanthapur, said, “Although the biometric attendance system has been applicable for employees, it will be harder for students. Around 2,000 students come to the school in a span of five to ten minutes every morning. The biometric system takes five seconds to process. We have to take into account this kind of technical aspects before implementing it.” A senior official in the education department said, “There is a timetable in the school which is followed by all classes. In colleges, students have different timings so it is more manageable. We are planning to start the biometric attendance system in schools from the next academic year to make students more punctual.”
