Teachers at 200 schools throughout the country will soon start using the new ‘time in attendance system’ which was officially launched today in Port Moresby.
The new ‘time in attendance system’ will see a biometric hand punch device come into use that will provide an accurate audit of a teacher’s attendance.
The system was launched by Minister for Public Service Sir Puka Temu and Minister for Education Nick Kuman, following the trial at three schools in the National Capital District.
Badihagwa Secondary School, Ted Diro Primary School and Limana Vocational School were the three pilot schools with 106 teachers’ attendances being captured.
The launch was attended by Time and Access Systems managing director Harry Simpson, who explained what the system is about. A few members of parliament, DoE acting secretary Dr Uke Kombra and staff from the Education Department were also present.
Simpson said the trial was a success and the system will now be rolled out to 200 schools in five provinces, namely Morobe, Central, East New Britain, Western Highlands and NCD.
The rollout of the system cost K5 million, which was included in the 2016 national budget.
Simpson said: “The aim of the rollout is to get value out of the money spent on teacher salary and clamp down on ghost positions, payroll issues, leave fares and address absentism”.
Dr Kombra confirmed that the rollout will commence as soon as the funds are released from the Treasury Office.
He said roll out will be extended to over 50, 000 teachers at schools in the rest of the provinces before the 2016 academic year ends.