Punjab govt announces online attendance system in state schools

In a significant move, the Bhagwant Mann-led government in Punjab has decided to implement online attendance tracking for students in government schools. Starting December 15, this system will be introduced in more than 19,000 schools across the state. Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains asserts that this step is another stride towards the ongoing education revolution in the state, aiming to ensure quality education for children. Punjab currently boasts 19,000 government schools with an enrollment of 3 million students.
While online attendance tracking for teachers is already a common practice in most schools, this marks the first time such a system will be extended to students. This development is expected to bring several advantages, particularly for students who leave their homes, ostensibly for school, but fail to attend classes.
The online attendance system will require students to mark their attendance by placing their fingerprints. Subsequently, their attendance details will be recorded, providing information about their arrival and departure times. The education department anticipates that this initiative will not only enhance the monitoring of student attendance but also contribute to improvements in academic results. Additionally, Punjab has taken steps to bolster security measures in schools, including the deployment of security guards, including the School of Eminence and several other institutions. These guards are stationed from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., ensuring the protection of school property.