Jajpur: Higher education minister Ananta Das appears reluctant to implement the state government's initiative to install biometric machines in government and aided colleges to check absenteeism of teachers.
The minister said this while speaking at the annual function of students' union of the Dharmasala Mahavidyalay in Jajpur on Tuesday.
He said: "The state government has decided to introduce biometric system in the university and colleges to streamline the higher education system. But, I don't personally support installation of biometric devices in colleges or universities across the state as teaching is a dignified profession."
He said the teaching was a ideal profession and there should not be any restriction on the teachers to question their diligence, adding that: "There should not be any curb on teachers, especially in universities and colleges." He further said the teachers are meant to monitor others.
"When teacher monitors everything, how a digital system will monitor them?" he questioned. The minister appealed to the teachers fraternity to regulate themselves and perform their assigned duties.
He said there was a drop in successful Odia candidates in the All India Civil Service Examination for the past couple of years.
"A couple of decades ago, there was a single Utkal University in the entire state, and at least 20 to 30 students used to crack the All India Civil Service Examination every year. But now, as many as 12 government universities have been opened in the state, apart from eight private universities. Odia students hardly succeed in the exam or any national-level competitive examination," he said.
He further said the government had opened IAS coaching centres in all the state-run universities.
"Unfortunately there is not a single Odia candidate successful in the All India Civil Service Examination from any university coaching centres from our state last year," he said.
While local MLA Pranab Balabantray attended the function as guest of honour, students' union president Manas Baral presided over the meeting.
