GTA introduces ‘Note Cam’ app to curb teachers’ absenteeism in schools

DARJEELING, : In an attempt to address teacher and student absenteeism in Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) run schools, their Education department from Friday onwards introduced the digital attendance system ‘Note Cam’ in GTA primary schools.

The step is being taken to try and resolve persistent complaints on absenteeism along with teachers not arriving on time at schools.

In a Facebook post, GTA chief executive Anit Thapa said, “To streamline primary education and introduce a systematic approach, the GTA Education department has launched the digital attendance system ‘Note Cam’ in primary schools. This initiative marks a significant step toward strengthening primary education. With digital monitoring, schools can improve discipline, student learning, and overall educational quality.”

“Government primary schools in hilly regions need to compete with private schools. Parents’ perception of government schools must change. If classrooms remain empty, and quality education is not delivered, the role of teachers in primary education becomes ineffective,” he added.

The post further maintains that to address these challenges, the GTA Primary Education department has also taken initiatives such as infrastructure development, teacher training programs along with the digital attendance system.

The ‘Note Cam’app will have teachers sign the attendance register at school every morning along with a designated staff member capturing a photo of the register using the app. The ‘Note Cam’ will automatically scan the signatures and dates and convert them into digital data with it processing the attendance details and presenting them in a structured format showing the present and absent teachers. This data is then forwarded to the Education department for monitoring. All schools will now also have to submit daily attendance reports to their respective Circle Office for monitoring. There are 13 primary Education department circle offices in the GTA. The department officials will track the data to ensure compliance and accountability.

“We strongly believe that all schools will adopt this initiative with enthusiasm and successfully implement it. The responsibility of advancing primary education lies with every teacher,” said Thapa in his post.

The GTA Education department expects that this step would ensure teacher and student attendance, improve accountability and transparency, reduce manual paperwork, help in policymaking with real-time data and build parental trust in government schools.

According to the GTA Education department, they are using this system as an alternative to a biometric one as they feel it is not feasible in all primary schools owing to technical limitations in far flung areas.

In addition to this, the Education department also plans to start the biometric attendance system at the District Primary School Board, the District Primary School Inspector's Office and in all their 13 circle offices to streamline attendance tracking. Such a system is already running at their headquarters in Low is Jubilee complex in Darjeeling.

There are 778 primary schools under the GTA.