Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, June 22: In a major step towards digitising school administration and preventing fraudulent reporting, the Karnataka government is set to roll out a mobile-based, AI-powered facial recognition attendance system across all government and aided primary and secondary schools starting this academic year.

The project, launched under the state’s ambitious ‘Niranthara’ (Continuous) programme, will cover more than 5.2 million (52 lac) students across 52,686 schools. Under the new system, teachers will record attendance by capturing students’ photographs using a mobile application. These images will then be verified using AI-driven facial recognition technology, replacing the traditional roll-call method.

Representational image

The aim is to bring transparency and accountability to attendance reporting and reduce the misuse of public funds. Reports have indicated that some schools have been falsifying attendance records to wrongfully claim benefits meant for enrolled students. Despite having fewer students, these schools have allegedly shown inflated numbers to access a range of government-sponsored welfare schemes.

To combat this, the government has sanctioned Rs 5 crore for the development of software and the deployment of AI-enabled mobile devices and infrastructure in schools. The initiative is being managed by the Karnataka State Data Centre (KSDC), with oversight by K V Trilok Chandra, commissioner of the department of School Education and Literacy.

A central command and monitoring hub will be set up at Vikasa Soudha in Bengaluru, ensuring all data is processed securely and in compliance with strict privacy standards.

Captured attendance data will be integrated with the existing Student Achievement Tracking System (SATS), allowing real-time monitoring. The project has received necessary approvals from the departments of Personnel and Administrative Reforms and Finance, and the School Education Commissioner has been authorised to invite tenders under the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Act.

This move also comes in response to concerns over the misuse of state welfare programmes for students. Currently, Karnataka spends over Rs 4,000 crore annually on schemes such as:

• Free textbooks and uniforms

• Footwear

• Midday meals

• Milk under the Ksheera Bhagya scheme

• Eggs and bananas six days a week

Officials believe that by using facial recognition to confirm attendance, only genuinely present and eligible students will receive the benefits, helping reduce wasteful expenditure and fraud.

While the system promises efficiency and transparency, its successful implementation will require thorough training for teachers, robust technical support, and firm data protection measures to safeguard sensitive student information.

This AI-based attendance initiative marks a significant step in Karnataka’s efforts to modernise school governance and enhance the integrity of public service delivery in the education sector.