Starting next academic year, students in classes XI and XII under the Maharashtra state education board will be required to mark their attendance using a biometric system, either through facial recognition or fingerprint scanning. This initiative is aimed at enforcing the mandatory 75% attendance rule and tackling the growing trend of students skipping regular college classes in favor of private coaching institutes.

Currently, many students enroll in junior colleges simply to meet admission requirements, while they focus on attending private coaching centers for competitive exams like IIT-JEE and NEET. This arrangement, often facilitated by agreements between colleges and coaching institutes, has led to poor classroom attendance, the TOI report noted.

Addressing Attendance Issues

Sharad Gosavi, chairman of the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education, explained that the education department is considering making biometric attendance compulsory in junior colleges across the state. He said, “This step is being taken to address the issue of students neglecting college classes due to their engagement with private coaching centers. It will also help curb the practice of coaching institutes collaborating with smaller junior colleges to manipulate attendance records.”

Cities such as Mumbai, Pune, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Nagpur, Kolhapur, Amravati, and Latur are among the areas where students often begin their entrance exam preparations as early as class XI, enrolling in private coaching institutes while neglecting their regular college studies. Gosavi confirmed that efforts are already underway to implement biometric attendance in junior colleges, and instructions have been issued for its use in schools.

A Revived Proposal

Mahendra Ganpule, former vice-president of the State Headmasters' Association, recalled a similar proposal introduced two years ago, which had to be dropped due to opposition. “Now that the idea has been revived, the state board must ensure its successful implementation. In many colleges, classroom attendance is almost nonexistent, leaving teachers with no students to teach, which is a waste of resources,” he said.

What Will Happen After Biometric Attendance Is Enforced?

Once the biometric attendance system is in place, students will no longer have the option to skip classes without consequences. Attendance will be recorded only if students are physically present in class, using either facial recognition or fingerprint scanning. This move aligns with the already mandatory 75% attendance requirement for students to appear for state board exams, ensuring stricter adherence to the rule.

Education officials believe this measure will not only improve attendance but also help regulate private coaching classes, encouraging better participation in regular classroom sessions.

Mixed Reactions from Parents

While many parents support the move, some have expressed concerns regarding the quality of education at government schools. They argue that students often turn to private coaching centers because government institutions do not provide adequate preparation for competitive exams. These parents worry that the new system may not fully address the root cause of absenteeism—insufficient academic support in government-run institutions.