Ensure all students have Aadhaar cards: Edu dept to Maha schools

SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE TASK OF HANDING OUT AADHAAR CARD REGISTRATION FORMS TO PARENTS STARTING NEXT WEEK

MUMBAI: Schools across Maharashtra have been asked to ensure that no student is left without an Aadhaar card.

The education department recently received 816 machines from the government, which will be installed at schools across 408 talukas in the coming days.

The circular issued by the education department reads: “While the card is not required for school admissions, it is still an essential document for midday meal, scholarships, etc. It is thus important for students to get the card to avail these facilities.”

An official from the state education department said school staff will be trained for the task in the coming days.

Students who have an Aadhaar card but are yet to update their biometric details on the portal also need to complete the process soon.

Schools have been given the task of handing out forms to parents from the next week. After students register , schools have been asked to update their details on the government’s SARAL portal.

Prashant Redij, spokesperson of the Mumbai Principals Association, said the government should not shift the responsibility of ensuring that everyone has an Aadhaar card on schools.

“While 90%of students in most schools have the card, the others have not got them owing to some technical issues. It should be the responsibility of the government and the parents to ensure that children have their Aadhaar cards,” he added.

A suburban school principal said the initiative would add to the data entry work the school teachers have to do every day.

“When will we get the time to teach?” the principal added.

Source: Hindustan Times dated January 21, 2019