A Truant-proof School

[sbk]

A truant-proof school

By By Panu Supan

Daily Xpress

Published on May 26, 2009

Kids get electronic security cards to clock in and out of a Kanchanaburi school

To prevent kids playing truant, a Kanchanaburi secondary school is making students clock in and out using smart cards, and parents of those who skip classes are immediately notified by text.

Attendance records online

Parents of students studying at Kanchananukhroh can also check their attendance records by clicking to the school's website at www.kn.ac.th.

Many have praised the new initiative, saying that while it is a good tool to keep a check on students' behaviour, it also helps track kids in case they suffer an accident on their way to or back from school.

School director Jakkrit Yaemsual says Bt1 million from the school's budget had been used for the project, which is unique in Kanchanaburi. Smart cards have been given to all 3,403 students in 69 classes from Grade 7 to Grade 12 in 69.

Tracking truants

Students have to clock in between 6 and 8.20 in the morning, then clock out from 3.45 to 5.30 in the afternoon. The scanners at the three school gates are monitored by teachers to prevent students from clocking in for their friends, says Jakkrit.

At the end of each morning and afternoon session, any student failing to swipe their cards is registered at the system's control centre, and an SMS is sent to their parents.

-- The Nation 2009/05/26