90 lakh TN students to get high-tech smart ID cards soon

Accordingly, the Directorate of School Education, which has been entrusted with implementing the scheme, has called for response from multinational companies, who will supply the QR-code based cards.

In a first, the smart IDs, which will cost the exchequer around Rs 12 crore, will have biometrics, Aadhaar information and other details in electronic form, which can be accessed anywhere in the country. School Education Minister KA Sengottaiyan told DTNext that the smart IDs will contain all information about the students. “It can be obtained from the common database. The cards can also be used when students transfer from one school to another. Since those will have all details, transfer certificate will not be required during their new admission,” he added.

Students will have to wear the smart ID cards to school and all entry and exit points in government schools would be equipped with RFID scanners. When a student enters or leaves the school, the scanners would automatically read the microchip data and send messages to their parents. A senior School Directorate official said the project has two main components - Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) scanners and ID cards fitted with microchips. “An SMS would be sent to the parents when students enter or exit the school. Around 60 to 90 lakh smart identification cards will be required for students across TN,” he added.

The smart card could be retained for a long time and will be used to store the code along with nine other vital information, such as name, date of birth, blood group, photograph and address, he said. “The availability of information will ensure improved decision making, besides accountability and efficiency in school education,” he said. A meeting will be arranged between the implementing authorities and the companies interested in undertaking the project, he added.

The evaluation of the proposals will be done by a committee constituted by Department of School Education, which will shortlist the companies.