Disciplining JNU Teachers: Biometric Attendance Soon For Faculty As Students Complain Of ‘Absenteeism’ 

The Jawaharlal Nehru University administration has stated, based on ‘informal complaints’ from students, that biometric attendance system will be introduced for teachers soon, due to some of them taking duty leave without informing the authorities, reports Indian Express.

Rector I Chintamani Mahapatra said that all schools and special centres of the university would shortly have the biometric attendance system, to be followed by everyone. He noted that the university would issue smart cards that will also act as IDs, library and health cards.

Chintamani stated at a press interaction that the move was aimed at disciplining teachers since students and staff were already marking their attendance. According to UGC rules, a teacher must be present for a minimum of five hours in college.

“There are cases where some teachers left the university without permission, to participate in conferences and seminars. The rule says that whenever somebody applies for duty leave, they should seek permission. When we discussed the attendance issue with students informally, they raised the issue that (on occasions), they wanted to meet teachers, but their rooms were locked. So there were concerns from students as well,” Mahapatra said.