Panaji (Goa): State Education department has asked all the schools to ensure that their students either have Aadhar Card or have enrolled for the crucial document.

The department had earlier this year decided to make Aadhar card mandatory in schools across the State during admissions from the academic year 2017-18, mainly for availing of the various schemes like mid-day meals, scholarships and others.

In a circular issued to all grant-in-aid institutions seeking details of the total number of students, teachers, etc for the current academic year; the department has stated that the schools should certify that all students have been enrolled for Aadhar and the copies of the Aadhar card have been retained with the respective schools for record.

The managements of these institutions have been asked to ‘provide correct information’ regarding class-wise enrollment for 2017-18 and further bifurcation of boys-girls, and reserved categories; details of the teaching and the non-teaching staff along with their date of initial appointment, date of superannuation, designation, qualification, etc; and class wise school results for the academic year 2016-17.  The details, deputy director of education (academics) Shailesh Zingde has said should reach the Directorate of Education by June 15.

The details of surplus staff have also been sought with a warning to face action for any irregularities.

In its April 18 order, the circular had stated that ‘the use of Aadhaar as an identity document for delivery of services or benefits or subsidies, simplifies the government delivery process, brings in transparency and efficiency, and enables beneficiaries to get entitlements directly to them in a convenient and seamless manner.’

Several schools and pre-primaries saw the managements seeking Aadhar Card copy at the time of fresh admissions. These schools had even held day-long camps inviting the concerned officials to register the students for Aadhar Card.  Team TNV