Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah has approved the launch of a facial recognition-based attendance monitoring system, known as FRAMES, in schools, with the programme set to begin in six districts from August 17.
The decision was taken during a meeting of the School Education Department chaired by the chief minister, attended by Sindh Education Minister Sardar Shah, the chief secretary and other senior officials. During the session, the education minister briefed CM on the preparations for the new system.
Sardar Shah told the meeting that data-based governance would make education management more effective and that all technical preparations for the rollout had been completed. In the first phase, one district from each division of the province has been selected for implementation.
He said the system would function effectively even in areas with limited internet access, and that geo-tagging of the selected schools had already been completed. Teacher arrival and departure records will be automated, ensuring that attendance data is securely stored, accurate and cannot be altered.
The chief minister said registration of teaching and non-teaching staff in the six selected districts had been completed, and that FRAMES would formally launch in these districts from August 17. Under the system, staff attendance will be monitored through facial recognition technology.
Murad Ali Shah said teacher attendance was fundamental to improving educational outcomes, adding that every child had a right to quality education, which required teachers and school staff to fulfil their responsibilities. He said technology would be used to strengthen accountability across the education system.
The chief minister directed authorities to establish an effective support and monitoring mechanism during the initial phase and ensure that school administrations were provided with all necessary technical assistance. He said that following a successful rollout, the system would be extended in phases to all districts of Sindh.
Describing FRAMES as a major governance reform in the education sector, Murad Ali Shah said the system would promote transparency, accountability and effective oversight in schools, and that its use would improve institutional discipline and academic performance.
