In a significant move to enhance the integrity and efficiency of the education system, the Bihar government has announced the implementation of facial recognition technology to record the attendance of students in government schools. This initiative, set to begin in January, aims to address several longstanding issues, including attendance fudging, corruption in mid-day meal schemes, and the manipulation of attendance records.
The decision was made public by S Siddharth, the additional chief secretary of the Bihar education department, who highlighted that a trial run of the facial recognition system has already been successfully completed. The system will utilize the e-Shikshakosh app, a platform launched by the Bihar government to provide training and resources to teachers, improve teaching methods, and enhance learning outcomes.
Currently, Bihar has 75,000 government schools, where students’ attendance is traditionally recorded through roll calls, which are later entered into the app. However, this conventional method has been plagued by issues such as ghost admissions and falsified attendance records. The new facial recognition system is designed to eliminate these problems by ensuring that only physically present students are marked as attending.
One of the primary objectives of this system is to prevent the practice of ghost admissions, where students are enrolled in private schools but still receive benefits from the government. In the past year, the education department detected approximately 25 lakh ghost attendance cases, where students were availing government benefits despite not attending government schools. The facial recognition technology will make it impossible for such fraudulent practices to continue.
Another critical aspect addressed by this system is the prevention of school officials tampering with attendance records. This has been a significant issue, as officials could manipulate records to siphon off funds meant for students. By using facial recognition, the accuracy of attendance records will be significantly improved, reducing the potential for corruption.
The system will also impact how parents and guardians interact with school principals. Currently, parents often pressure principals to record high attendance for their children to ensure they meet the criteria for various facilities such as scholarships, free uniforms, and school textbooks. The Bihar government provides annual scholarships ranging from Rs 400 to Rs 2,500 to students who maintain a 75% attendance record. With the new system, such pressures will be mitigated, as attendance records will be based on actual presence rather than influence.
School teachers have generally welcomed the government’s decision, recognizing the potential benefits in terms of transparency and accuracy. However, they have also pointed out some challenges, particularly the issue of internet connectivity in certain areas. Ensuring reliable internet access will be crucial for the smooth implementation of the facial recognition system.
This move by the Bihar government is part of a broader trend in India, where other states like Delhi and Karnataka are also considering the use of facial recognition technology for attendance recording. The initiative reflects a growing emphasis on leveraging technology to improve educational outcomes and reduce administrative inefficiencies.
In summary, the introduction of facial recognition technology for attendance in Bihar’s government schools marks a significant step towards enhancing the integrity and efficiency of the education system. By preventing attendance fudging, reducing corruption, and ensuring accurate records, this system aims to create a more transparent and effective educational environment. While there are challenges to be addressed, such as internet connectivity issues, the overall impact is expected to be positive, contributing to better educational outcomes and reduced administrative hurdles.
[Original Article Link](https://indianexpress.com/article/india/bihar-govt-school-students-facial-recognition-attendance-fudging-9653794/)