The Punjab government has announced a new SMS alert system to track student and teacher absenteeism across all government schools, starting April 1.
The move is aimed at improving attendance and making the school system more accountable and responsive.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said parents will receive an SMS if their child is absent from school on any given day. If the absence continues for more than two days, school staff will directly reach out to the family to understand the reason and ensure the student returns to class.
In a significant step, the system will also apply to teachers. Information about teacher absenteeism will be shared with parents, a move the government believes will increase transparency and build trust in government schools.
PARENTS BROUGHT INTO THE SYSTEM
The announcement follows large-scale parent-teacher meetings held across Punjab, where nearly 24 lakh parents participated. During these sessions, the new SMS alert system was explained through structured discussions and direct interactions with school staff.
Officials said the meetings were designed to go beyond routine report cards. Schools created a more welcoming environment, displayed student work through exhibitions, and encouraged parents to engage more actively in their children’s education.
The sessions also included awareness campaigns, such as information on HPV vaccination for girls, showing a broader focus on student well-being.
EDUCATION REFORMS IN FOCUS
The announcement came during a joint press conference by the Chief Minister and the Education Minister, marking four years of the government.
Highlighting the importance of education, Mann said, “Education is the foundation of any nation,” stressing the need to strengthen public schooling.
He pointed out the gap between what he described as accessible “Bharat” education and elite “India” education, adding that the government is working to bring state-run schools at par with private institutions.
Backing this push, the state has allocated Rs 19,279 crore to education in the current budget. Mann also noted that Punjab has ranked first in recent surveys, while Gujarat stands 15th despite its model being widely promoted.
A BROADER PUSH FOR CHANGE
The government highlighted key steps already taken, including setting up 118 Schools of Eminence and launching the “School on Wheels” programme to transport 10,000 girls to government schools.
It has also recruited 14,000 teachers and regularised 16,000, while eight batches of teachers have been sent abroad for training.
With the new SMS alert system, Punjab is joining a growing list of states using technology to tackle absenteeism. In Assam, for instance, a similar system sends alerts to parents and teachers when a student is absent for five consecutive days, continuing at regular intervals until the child returns to school.
The alerts in Assam are also sent in multiple languages and aim to ensure timely intervention and reduce dropout risks by keeping both families and schools informed.
By combining technology with parental involvement, such initiatives signal a wider shift towards real-time monitoring and stronger accountability in India’s public education system.
