Sindh Launches Digital Attendance System to Improve Education Governance

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has launched the Student Attendance Monitoring and Redress System (SAMRS), calling it a major step toward modernising education through technology. The new digital system links student attendance with school facilities, teacher performance, and learning progress. It is the first system of its kind in the province. According to the chief minister, SAMRS will help policymakers make better decisions by identifying student problems early and ensuring timely action.

The launch ceremony was held at a local hotel and attended by Education Minister Syed Sardar Shah, World Bank Country Director Bolormaa Amgaabazar, and representatives from Unicef, ADB, GPE, the British Council, and JICA. Shah said SAMRS has already been introduced in 600 schools across 12 districts, and four more districts will be added soon with support from Unicef. He explained that SAMRS not only records attendance but also predicts dropouts, recommends solutions, and improves school governance through real-time data.

Murad Ali Shah also announced that the provincial government will formally adopt SAMRS under a new policy to make sure the system continues long-term and becomes part of Sindh’s wider education framework. He praised the School Education Department, the Reform Support Unit, and the SELECT Project team for developing the platform. He also thanked international partners for their support and suggested linking SAMRS with health, nutrition, and social welfare programs to better address children’s overall needs.

Education Minister Syed Sardar Shah said SAMRS is a powerful digital tool that brings together attendance, performance, and infrastructure data to guide better decisions. With help from NADRA, students’ identities are being confirmed through B-Forms, ensuring accurate records. He added that 99% of schools using SAMRS have successfully reported attendance, and 92% have taken corrective actions, showing real progress in improving school monitoring.

World Bank Country Director Bolormaa Amgaabazar praised the Sindh government for designing and implementing SAMRS. She said the system is a strong example of how local innovation and international cooperation can improve public education and ensure that all children in Sindh receive quality learning opportunities.