Patna: The Bihar Education Department is preparing to introduce a new technology-based attendance system for teachers in government schools, replacing the existing photo-based method with facial recognition, iris scanning and GPS location verification.
The proposed system aims to address complaints of irregularities in photo-based attendance and ensure that teachers mark their presence only when they are physically available on school premises.
The new mechanism is expected to use artificial intelligence (AI)-based verification to match teachers’ facial and iris details with their previously registered information.
Face Recognition and Iris Scan to Verify Teachers’ Identity
Under the proposed arrangement, teachers will no longer be able to mark attendance simply by uploading a photograph.
Instead, their identity will be verified through two biometric methods:
- Face recognition: The teacher’s face will be matched with the photograph and details already registered with the department.
- Iris scanning: The system will verify the teacher’s identity using an eye-based biometric scan.
The additional verification is intended to make the attendance process more reliable and reduce the possibility of attendance being marked by someone else.
GPS to Confirm Presence Inside School Campus
GPS-based location verification will be another important feature of the proposed system.
The attendance application will use the mobile phone’s location data to check whether a teacher is physically present at the concerned school when recording attendance.
This is intended to prevent teachers from marking their attendance while staying away from the school premises.
How the New Attendance Process May Work
According to the proposed procedure, teachers will have to open the Education Department’s attendance application on their mobile phones and complete the required e-KYC process.
They will then have to select the ‘Capture Attendance’ option.
The mobile phone’s front camera will become active, allowing the system to capture the teacher’s face and compare it with the registered information. An iris scan will also be used for biometric verification.
At the same time, GPS data will be checked to establish the teacher’s location.
Teachers May Have to Remove Masks and Glasses
The proposed system may also introduce certain conditions to ensure accurate facial recognition.
Teachers may be required to keep their faces clearly visible during verification. Conditions such as removing masks and glasses could be included to prevent difficulties in matching facial features.
The system is expected to use AI-based technology to compare facial and iris information with the department’s registered database.
Attendance to Be Recorded at Both Entry and Exit
One of the significant changes under the proposed arrangement is that teachers will have to record attendance twice a day.
The application is expected to include separate ‘In’ and ‘Out’ options.
- Entry attendance: Teachers will complete facial and iris verification, along with GPS confirmation, when arriving at school.
- Exit attendance: They will repeat the attendance process while leaving the school.
This will allow the department to maintain a digital record of teachers’ arrival and departure times and monitor their presence during school hours.
Education Department Aims to Prevent Attendance Irregularities
The main objective of the proposed upgrade is to address problems associated with the existing photograph-based attendance system.
By combining facial recognition, iris scanning and GPS verification, the department aims to strengthen identity checks and confirm the physical presence of teachers at their respective schools.
The proposed system is also intended to improve monitoring of punctuality and ensure that teachers remain in school for the prescribed working hours.
New System Yet to Be Implemented
The arrangements described are part of the proposed attendance system. The supplied report does not specify a confirmed statewide implementation date.
Teachers and school authorities will need to follow official instructions from the Education Department regarding the rollout, registration requirements and use of the upgraded attendance application.
