Attendance goes smart: AI face recognition in Karnataka government schools Education and Career News

Last updated:08 January, 2026, 07:01 IST

Teachers have been asked to install the official department app on their smartphones. In schools where individual devices are not possible, dedicated devices will be provided.

In a small government school in Karnataka, the morning routine is about to change. Now there will be no hurry in signing the register. Biometric scanners will no longer leave stained fingerprints. Instead, as teachers and students walk in, a phone camera will silently scan their faces and register their presence within seconds.

Attendance, long considered a formality, is now turning into a data point. And schools in Karnataka are taking steps towards a future where facial recognition will determine who is actually present.

The Department of School Education and Literacy has announced a major policy change. From now on, attendance in government schools will be recorded using the face recognition system, making it mandatory for both teachers and students across the state.

Why is Karnataka turning to facial recognition?

For years, the education department has been grappling with complaints of fake attendance, late arrivals and discrepancies between what the register shows and what actually happens in classes. The manual system left too much margin for error. Even biometric fingerprint systems failed in many schools due to faulty machines, poor maintenance and technical glitches.

Facial recognition is being touted as a neat solution. The idea is simple. If a person’s face is scanned inside the school premises, the attendance is genuine. No proxy. No excuse.

Officials say the move is aimed at restoring confidence in the system, ensuring that teachers attend on time and students’ attendance records reflect the reality. State Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa said the new system is scheduled to be implemented from the 2026-27 academic year.

How will the new system work?

Under the new model, teachers and students will mark attendance through the mobile app or a device provided by the school. As they arrive, their faces are scanned and matched with stored records.

This system is also connected to geofencing technology. Attendance can be recorded only when the individual is physically within the GPS range of the school. This means that no one can mark attendance from home, on the road or from a nearby shop.

Each scan logs time, location, and identity, creating a digital trail that can be reviewed by education officials if needed.

Teachers should keep a close eye on punctuality

One of the main reasons behind this move is the long-standing issue of punctuality of teachers, especially in rural and remote areas. Complaints about late arrival and early departure have come up repeatedly in audits and inspections.

With facial recognition, each entry and exit is time-stamped. Block Education Officers will be able to track patterns, identify habitual delays and intervene when needed.

For the department, it is not about monitoring but about accountability. The goal is to ensure that students get the classroom hours they are entitled to.

What does this mean for students

This system brings a different kind of change for the students. Accurate attendance records are closely linked to government benefits like mid-day meals, scholarships and welfare schemes.

Officials say the new system will ensure that benefits reach only those who are actually going to school. It will also help track dropout trends more accurately, allowing early intervention when students start skipping classes regularly.

In short, attendance is no longer just about tick marks. This becomes the gateway to support the system.

From pilot to full rollout

The facial recognition system has already been tested in selected districts under a pilot project. After reviewing its performance, the department has decided to implement it in all government primary and high schools in Karnataka.

Teachers have been asked to install the official department app on their smartphones. In schools where individual devices are not possible, officials say dedicated devices will be provided to ensure the system works equally well.

The message of the department is clear. This is not optional. This is the new normal.

Worries that refuse to go away

Not everyone is convinced. Teachers unions have raised concerns about privacy, data security and the pressure of constant surveillance. There are practical concerns too. Many rural schools struggle with poor internet connectivity and limited access to smartphones or reliable devices.

What happens when the network goes down? What if the camera breaks down? What about misuse of data? These questions are being asked loudly.

However, the Education Department insists that safety measures will be taken and modernization cannot be delayed due to inconvenience. Officials have described the system as indispensable in a world that is becoming increasingly digital.

A classroom shaped by algorithms

Whether welcomed or opposed, the change is undeniable. Schools in Karnataka are moving into a phase where technology has become the gatekeeper of attendance.

For some, it indicates efficiency and fairness. For others, it raises concerns about surveillance in spaces meant for learning, not surveillance.

But one thing is certain. The simple act of going to school is about to change. From now on, the teacher will not be the only one to pay attention to your arrival. A camera does too. And in the classrooms of Karnataka, the future has officially started marking its presence.