By Dr.AsangbaTzudir
As much as education is critical to the intellectual growth and development of a society, it’s ‘importance’ is also seen from the way in which schools and school teachers are monitored besides other skill enhancement activities including teacher trainings. As part of the monitoring system, the SMILE App, acronym for Smart Attendance Management and Informative Leaves was developed under the Nagaland Education Project—The Lighthouse (NECTAR), which is a digital tool designed to enhance school management and administrative efficiency in Nagaland’s government schools. But briefly after it was introduced as a ‘trial’ in three districts of Nagaland, it had to be stopped due to technical issues.
However, as of February 1, 2025, the Department of School Education (DoSE) has now mandated the use of the SMILE App across all government schools and establishments in Nagaland, and Teachers and staffs are required to mark their attendance online daily using the app’s kiosk feature at their respective institutions.
Despite its innovative approach, the SMILE App has faced challenges where users have reported issues with its functionality, and concerns have been raised about its sustainability especially post-NECTAR project funding. This itself creates serious doubts about its long-term viability.
However, such monitoring measures applied on DoSE also raises the question – why only DoSE and Teachers? Recently, this paper also raised a poll question on whether SMILE App should be introduced in other Government departments. A whooping 82% responded in the affirmative with barely anyone responding No (0.8%), while some (10%) gave other reasons.
The poll response also reflects the state of affairs and also the need to ‘check’ other government departments as well. But the challenges of functionality, resources sustainability, and monitoring itself casts serious doubt about its viability if at all SMILE App is to be introduced in all Govt. Departments.
Recently, a National Study on Working Hours revealed that the average working hours for Nagaland was under 6 hours. This result also attests to the state that is reeling under economic dependency syndrome. The present economic dependency condition, so also the average working hours, points to the larger question of dignity. A respondent had to say this, “if there is no productive work, what is the point of having regular attendance.”
Govt. establishments are mandated not only by the call to duty but most importantly appointed to abide by the moral phrase, “in the interest of public service”, and so beyond the mandated daily working hour requirement, responding to public service is of primary concern. Considering the under six hours work culture, it will be interesting if there can be such an assessment and evaluation survey to see how many govt. Employees come to office in time, and also leave after completion of the required working hours. There may be cases where someone has hardly seen their workplace, or also those who keeps themselves busy at ‘work’ playing cards and carrom board, and so their attendance becomes unnecessary when it comes productive work. So, Kudos to the sincere ones who understand and abide by their call to duty in the interest of public service.
(Dr.AsangbaTzudir writes a weekly guest editorial to the Morung Express. Comments can be emailed to asangtz@gmail.com).
