A facial recognition-based attendance system for teachers has been launched in government schools across Sindh, including Karachi.
Under the Sindh School Education Department, the attendance of teachers and non-teaching staff at government schools will be digitally recorded. The pilot phase of the Facial Recognition Attendance Monitoring and Evaluation System began today.
Initially, the facial recognition attendance system has been introduced in six districts: Karachi East, Hyderabad, Naushahro Feroze, Jacobabad, Ghotki and Umerkot.
A total of 49,565 teaching and non-teaching employees will have their attendance monitored through facial recognition technology.
Officials said teachers will be able to use the application on any mobile phone to mark their attendance. Attendance can also be recorded in the absence of an internet connection.
Once internet connectivity is restored, the attendance record will be updated automatically. Teachers will be required to record both their arrival and departure from school in the system and will be able to view their attendance records through the application.
Teachers will also be able to download their monthly attendance records and submit leave applications online. Administrative officers, school heads and teachers have already been trained in the use of the application.
Provincial Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah said the initiative is being launched as a start in six districts, with plans to extend it to all districts of Sindh following a successful trial. He said the application has been designed to be user-friendly, and a mechanism has been put in place to monitor, identify and resolve technical issues.
Sardar Ali Shah added that the system is not just an attendance tool but deals with effectively ensuring students’ right to have teachers available at school. In the initial phase, attendance of 49,565 teaching and non-teaching staff across the six districts will be monitored through this initiative.
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