In a significant development aimed at easing the workload for teachers, the Tamil Nadu School Education Department has announced plans to outsource the Educational Management Information System (EMIS) data entry work starting from the upcoming academic year.
The EMIS portal, launched in 2018, serves as a comprehensive repository for storing crucial information related to schools, teachers, and students across government, aided, and private educational institutions.
Presently, teachers are burdened with the task of data entry on the EMIS portal, impacting their valuable teaching time. Responding to their concerns, the government has decided to outsource this responsibility to dedicated personnel, providing much-needed relief to educators.
- Kumaragurubaran, Secretary of the School Education Department, outlined the strategy for implementing this initiative. Plans are underway to establish state-of-the-art hi-tech labs in 8,500 middle schools, where specialized personnel will be appointed to handle EMIS data entry tasks. Additionally, lab assistants will be deployed in approximately 6,000 high and higher secondary schools, each responsible for managing EMIS data across multiple schools, including primary schools.
These assistants, equipped with the necessary training and resources, will commence their duties from the first week of June, streamlining the EMIS workflow and ensuring accurate data management.
In parallel, the School Education Department is leveraging technology to enhance communication between teachers and the department. A dedicated WhatsApp Channel is being rolled out to facilitate seamless interaction and dissemination of information. To support this initiative, phone numbers associated with approximately 1.6 crore individuals in the EMIS portal are being authenticated.
Mr. Kumaragurubaran highlighted the challenges faced due to unverified phone numbers, hindering effective communication. To address this issue, an OTP verification process has been initiated, resulting in the verification of 5 lakh phone numbers so far. Once completed, the WhatsApp channel will enable swift and efficient communication, allowing bulk information dissemination and facilitating easy communication between school authorities and parents.
The introduction of the WhatsApp channel is not only a step towards digital empowerment but also a means to enhance administrative processes within schools. Headmasters can utilize the channel to communicate vital information such as attendance updates, distribution of educational materials, and other circulars to parents, fostering a more connected and informed school community.
By leveraging technology for data management and communication, the Tamil Nadu School Education Department is taking proactive steps to enhance efficiency and promote a conducive learning environment for students while supporting teachers in their crucial roles.
