Govt schools in UP to use facial recognition tech for marking attendance

In a bid to enhance the education framework of India, the Uttar Pradesh government has started a specialized facial recognition technology (FRT) based method to monitor the presence of students and teachers in the public schools of the state.

The FRT method has already been launched in Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBV) which uses a specialized AI-based interface to verify the attendance of teachers and other staff members. A similar tech system will soon be adopted in all state-run schools in Uttar Pradesh.

Under the FRT system which is operational in KGBVs, each user (teacher/staff) is required to register with their 10-digit mobile number and generate the PIN. After this, the KGBV wardens further verify the attendance of each individual by clicking photos through cameras inside the school premises.

The updated FRT system which will be used in public schools will not only be used to counter the major issue of proxy teachers but will also help in marking the presence of the students by providing an exact headcount.

Previously, a similar 'selfie' based scheme was launched by the UP basic education department to mark the staff attendance and pay their salaries. This was done with the help of a dedicated 'Prerna App', on which the school staff was required to upload selfies from the school premises.