50% govt-aided colleges have biometric attendance: Survey

Kolkata: A survey conducted by the higher education department across govt and govt-aided colleges to find out how many have installed biometric attendance systems revealed that around 50% of them have already set the system up on their own initiative.

The development comes immediately after some BJP MLAs visited Bikash Bhavan and raised the issue of implementing biometric systems in state-run colleges to boost proper work culture.Following this, the higher education department sought a detailed report from affiliated colleges regarding their current attendance tracking methods. Data was collected from all govt and govt-aided colleges regarding this matter.The survey showed that though 50% of govt-aided colleges have already installed the system, only one govt college currently uses it. A higher education department official said, “We conducted the survey to understand the actual scenario. Interestingly, data shows that colleges located in rural districts are highly active in this regard.”The official added, “We know there are a number of colleges where teachers are irregular, which impacts the overall academic environment.

This needs to be structured. We have completed the necessary paperwork, and the govt will now take a final decision on the matter.”The state has already introduced biometric entry and exit tracking for govt employees across its offices. Dipak Barman, the school education minister, hinted that schools, too, will soon get biometric face-recognition machines. While no definitive decision has been taken by the higher education department yet, a section of college principals has raised demands to streamline the attendance system across colleges.Tilak Chatterjee, principal of Bankim Sardar College, said, “We introduced a biometric system for teachers in 2014. Although a case was filed against it in the high court, the verdict came in favor of our decision. After that, we introduced a student-tracking system in 2017, which helped us streamline attendance. However, after the lockdown, we had to scrap the system due to local political pressure. As a principal, I believe that if we want a healthy academic environment in undergraduate studies, student participation is important and must be tracked.

”Pankaj Kumar Ray, principal of Jogesh Chandra Chaudhuri Day College, said their college introduced a biometric system in 2019. “When we installed the biometric attendance system at our college, there was resistance from a section of teachers who were irregular with their classes. However, most were happy. If the govt takes the initiative to regularize this system, it will bring about a real change.”