Maharashtra Govt. to Implement Biometric Attendance in Junior Colleges from 2018

With an objective to regulate the commercialisation of education, the government of Maharashtra is planning to implement biometric attendance system in all junior colleges. Education Minister of Maharashtra, Mr. Vinod Tawade gave clarification in this regard while speaking in the state assembly. He further indicated that the students would not be allowed to appear for HSC examinations if they fail to maintain the minimum attendance. All the junior colleges will be required to strictly follow the biometric attendance system from 2018, he added.

He further pointed that various private junior colleges conduct separate coaching classes for the admission to Class XII and charge an exorbitant fee from the students. The colleges mark 80% attendance in classes, and in turn, allow them to seek admission to Class XII. With the implementation of biometric attendance system, all these issues can be regulated.

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However, few experts were of the opinion that implementation of biometric does not regulate the commercialisation of education. Usually, integrated coaching classes take place either in junior college building or a neighbouring one. It is easy for the students to mark the attendance and attend for tutorial classes. Therefore, the government must think of some other alternative ways to regulate the commercialisation of education.

The decision of the government received mixed response from parents, teachers and students. Parents are happy with the current system, i.e., regular classes and integrated coaching classes. However, the final decision is yet to be taken by the state government.

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Recently, the government of Telangana implemented biometric attendance in engineering and degree colleges. JNTU-Hyderabad has been assigned the responsibility of monitoring biometric attendance in engineering colleges.