JOIN USThe biometric face recognition system that was put in place as a pilot project in five government first grade colleges in Bangalore in February to ensure better accountability of lecturers’ attendance, will be extended to all the 360-odd government degree colleges in the State from the next academic year, despite opposition from lecturers.
“Face recognition while signing in attendance has reduced the possibility of proxy. The system has been introduced in 10 to 15 colleges in Mysore, Mangalore and Kodagu,” said Channappa Gowda, commissioner, Department of Collegiate Education (DCE). The DCE tied up with Ipomo, a Bangalore-based company that specialises mainly in mobile learning and introduced the system on a pilot basis between February 25 and March 25 in Maharani’s Arts College, Maharani’s Science College, Government Arts College, Government Science College and VHD Home Science College in Bangalore. Following good reviews from principals of these colleges about the system, the department has decided to extend it to colleges across the State.
The system is already in place in 16 colleges in Bangalore in addition to a few in remote areas such as Manki, Honnavar, and Somwarpet, according to the founder and managing director, Ipomo, Hari Prakash Shanbhog.
A senior official from DCE told Deccan Herald that several colleges had come forward to adopt the system as they cannot ‘control’ their lecturers. Principals highlighted how lecturers would stay in the colleges only for a few hours and leave as soon their classes are over. According to the rules, they should be present in the colleges for at least seven hours a day and for four hours on Saturdays.
Lecturers unhappy
However, lecturers deny these allegations terming them as ‘totally false.’ Although they are not against the system, they oppose the new move as it is an act of ‘intimidation’ and ‘punishment.’
“Lecturers are involved in a number of activities related to the college even after class hours. It is not as if we just run away from the premises. This measure has shaken the confidence and the trust between teachers and the principals,” said a lecturer from one of the five colleges where the system was introduced as a pilot project.
“The system has been imposed upon us even without any consultation. It is bound to become a weapon to irritate teachers by the authorities. How can the goal of academic progress be achieved by such a measure?” the lecturer questioned.
H Prakash, president, Karnataka Government College Doctorate Teachers’ Association said: “A number of colleges do not have basic facilities such as toilets and drinking water. In some colleges, classes are conducted in primary school buildings. No one is against the new system. However, more urgent concerns need to addressed first,” he said.
How the system works
Any android-based mobile phone with a camera is customised to record data such as the time of entry and exit through an application uploaded in it.
Every lecturer gets an unique identity which he/she has to compulsorily enter in the device while entering and exiting the college premises. The device does a face recognition every time the unique identity is entered. The device then collects and consolidates the data, which can be accessed by the DCE. “We have used android-based mobile phone with a sim card. Any mobile phone network can be used and, it is much cheaper than having computers, LAN and internet connections,” said Hari Prakash Shanbhog.