Advancements in biometrics make a breakthrough in school applications in Pakistan

Advancements in biometric technology can be seen over the past few years, with more accurate identification and easier to use systems, which in turn have led to wider applications for the technology. In the school environment, biometrics has been used as a means for a more convenient way to address time attendance, replace library cards, and to charge for meals.

According to the local paper, Daily Times, the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) has plans to introduce biometric attendance systems for the teaching and non-teaching staff in 422 schools in Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan. The biometric attendance system will ensure the time and attendance against the employees’ job shifts and responsibilities, as well as enhance the control of administration over the work force by monitoring them on regular bases.

A human resources management system (HRMS) is also being established by administration to improve the functioning of the capital’s educational body by recording employees’ productivity, performance, and profile management.

The convergence of attendance from manual to an automatic system will enhance the FDE’s capability on decision support and evaluation of an employee’s performance level against the defined key performance indicators.

The steps to convert attendance of the teachers and staff on biometric system and development of HRM system are being proceeded under the Prime Minister Education Reforms Programme (PMERP).

Needless to say, the benefits of biometric technologies are endless. For school applications, one biometric system can replace school IDs, lunch passes, library cards, attendance rosters, as well as controlling physical access, allowing the school to save cost and improve efficiency on the staff’s workload.

Other applications of biometric technologies in Pakistan include:
Smart National ID card (SNIC): Issued by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), the SNIC contains a microchip that stores biometric data.
Banks: As part of the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) efforts to strengthen regulations regarding anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism, banks and development financial institutions (DFIs) to use biometric technology at branch level for identity verification.
Sim card verification: The country launched a biometrics registration drive for sim card users over concerns that militants were using smartphones to coordinate attacks.
Broadband users: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority introduced a new policy for customers to verify their identity through thumb impressions to confirm that the Computerized National Identity Card they are using for activation of their Internet connection is legitimate, original, and belongs to them.
Police force: Police in Faisalabad were handed 50 mobile biometric scanners to help in crackdowns on insurgency and crime.
Airports: Biometric systems for border security to be installed at all airports in response to human trafficking concerns.