Assam Launches Automated SMS Absenteeism Alert System to Boost Student Attendance

Guwahati:Cabinet MinisterRanoj Peguon Monday inaugurated the Automated SMS Absenteeism Alert System, a digital initiative aimed at tracking student attendance and reducing dropout rates in schools across Assam.Pegu said the system will send SMS alerts to class teachers and parents when a student remains absent without permission.He said authorities have integrated the system with theShiksha Setu Appto ensure real-time monitoring of attendance.The system will automatically generate alerts if a student stays absent for five consecutive days.An SMS will go simultaneously to the class teacher and the parent or guardian, Pegu said.The system will continue sending alerts after every five days of absence, including on the 10th, 15th day and beyond.Addressing a press meet, Pegu said the initiative strengthens data-driven governance in the education sector.He said the government has integrated Shiksha Setu data with UDISE data after seeing positive results from the app.The minister said the system will generate messages in two major local languages in each district.In BTC areas, the system will send messages in Assamese and Bodo to ensure parents understand the alerts, he added.Pegu said the initiative will help authorities monitor dropout and transition rates more effectively.Sharing enrolment figures, he said the gross enrolment rate in lower primary earlier stood at 119.6 per cent.After rationalisation, the rate dropped to 108 per cent for the 2024–25 academic year, he said.Assam’s combined lower and upper primary GER stands at 101.5 per cent, higher than the national average of 90.6 per cent.Pegu said the department will also collect feedback from teachers to refine the system further.He said the initiative will play a key role in improving attendance and student retention in government schools across Assam.Related