A Corporation school with a biometric system and a smart class?
I wondered if there was some miscommunication somewhere along the way.
When I visited the Chennai High School Kodungaiyur (CHSK), situated in an inconspicuous corner on Kamaraj Road, I realised that this institution symbolised an effort to upturn unflattering notions about such schools.
There is a physical attendance register, but students are encouraged to also mark their attendance through the biometric attendance system installed at the entrance of the school.
Teachers are required to sign in for duty with digital fingerprints.
U. Muniramaiah, the newly-joined principal of CHSK, credits the students and faculty members for efforts to consistently improve standards at the school.
“This is the only Corporation or government school in Tamil Nadu to have such an attendance system,” he claims.
“Students and teachers suggested that a biometric attendance be introduced in the school. Besides the physical register, we study the data in the digital attendance system while marking attendance. Besides that, we do a monthly review of this data for each class. The students who punched in on time are appreciated, which, in turn, motivates other students to be punctual too.”
Smart education
Providing lessons beyond textbooks, CHSK has an air-conditioned smartclass for lessons that cannot be explained through mere images.
Set up two years ago, “this smartclass will break the monotony of the classrooms and help students understand certain concepts in a comprehensive manner,” says the principal.
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On merit only
The school has been in the spotlight for academic reasons as well. Since 2012, CHSK has been registering 100% pass rate.
Recognising this achievement, the Greater Chennai Corporation honours the school with a cash award of ₹1 lakh, every year.
“We use the funds so obtained, for maintenance and development of the school. The biometric system, for example, was bankrolled using these funds.
“Smartening up the smartclass and mathematics lab is on our immediate agenda. Helping students develop basic communication skills in English is also our top priority,” says Muniramaiah.