Administrators at public education

institutions have been directed by the Ministry of Education, Youth and

Information to discontinue the practice of scanning fingerprints to record

registration/attendance, until further advised.

In a bulletin on Wednesday, the ministry

said it is aware of the use of automated systems that are conveniently used for

employees to electronically record arrival and departure times.

However, in light of the issues that have

surfaced in relation to these systems and the lack of full information

regarding its implications, the decision was taken to issue the directive to

discontinue the practice of its use in public education institutions.

It was pointed out that as per the

Education Regulations, 1980, Section 17, Subsections 1(f), 1(g) and 1(h), in

every public education institution there shall be kept in such form or manner

as may be directed by the ministry or as may be prescribed,  a register of attendance of teachers and

administrative personnel; a register of attendance of ancillary staff; such

numbers of registers of attendance of students as may be necessary for the

purpose of the institution; and any other registers, books, statistical or

other records that the ministry may require to be kept in each institution.

The ministry said it has commenced an audit

of the use of electronic registration systems in all public schools, and this

information, in addition to an independent assessment of the systems, will be

used to develop policy guidelines to be made available to schools as quickly as

possible.