Pune: Education Department Begins Verifying Biometric System Installation in Junior Colleges to Ensure Genuine Attendance
The Maharashtra school education department has initiated the verification of biometric system installations in junior colleges to address the growing influence of coaching classes on entrance exams like JEE and NEET. This move aims to phase out the integrated junior college system, where students primarily attend coaching classes and only visit junior colleges for formalities or bogus attendance.
A recent report submitted to the education department highlights the issue of students enrolling in junior colleges solely to appear for class 12 board exams while receiving most of their education from coaching classes. Under the integrated system, students are marked present in junior colleges even though they only attend for practical sessions.
To tackle this, the department plans to make biometric attendance mandatory. Students will be required to register their attendance upon arrival and departure, ensuring they meet the 75% attendance threshold to qualify for class 12 exams. This system aims to ensure students actively participate in junior college education while reducing the dominance of coaching classes.
The rise of coaching classes in cities like Pune, Mumbai, and Nagpur has been significant, with students focusing on entrance exam preparation rather than formal college education. Many junior colleges are reportedly operating only on paper, with no actual teaching taking place.
State school education officials are reviewing the situation, and a final decision on the biometric system implementation is expected soon. This step is seen as a crucial measure to restore the integrity of the junior college system and ensure students receive a balanced education.
