Govt launches facial recognition attendance
system in six districts to curb absenteeism
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah speaking at a ceremony marking the first anniversary of Marka-e-Haq in Karachi. SCREENGRAB
KARACHI:
In a technology-driven reform aimed at tackling absenteeism in public schools, the Sindh government has approved the introduction of a facial recognition attendance system for teachers and school staff, with the pilot phase set to begin in six districts on August 17 before being expanded across the province.
The decision was taken during a meeting of the School Education Department chaired by the Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah at his office on Tuesday. Attendees included Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah, Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, School Education Secretary Zahid Abbasi and other senior officials.
The Facial Recognition Attendance Monitoring and Evaluation System (FRAMES) will be rolled out in six districts from August 17, 2026, with plans for a phased expansion across the province.
Officials informed the meeting that one district from each division has been selected for the initial phase and that all teaching and non-teaching staff in those districts have been registered in the system.
FRAMES will verify staff attendance in real time using facial recognition technology. The application will function both online and offline, ensuring usability in areas with limited internet connectivity. Schools have also been geo-tagged, enabling accurate recording of staff entry and exit times. CM Shah termed the initiative a major step towards strengthening education governance, stressing that teacher attendance is critical to improving learning outcomes.
“Every child has the right to quality education, and this requires teachers and staff to fulfil their responsibilities effectively,” he said, adding that the system would provide a transparent mechanism for monitoring attendance.
He directed the education department to ensure effective implementation and establish a strong support system during the initial phase. He also called for regular monitoring before expanding the initiative province-wide. Education Minister Sardar Shah described the system as a key milestone in ongoing reforms, noting that technology-driven solutions are essential for improving performance and accountability.
The meeting also reviewed technical arrangements, implementation timelines and field readiness for the first phase. Officials said the system would be expanded to all districts following successful implementation in the pilot areas.
