For School Students, Government Introduces ‘One Nation, One ID’: A Comprehensive Overview
Introduction:
The Indian government is making strides in the education sector by introducing a unique identification system for school students. This initiative, a part of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, is set to provide every student, from pre-primary to higher education, with a unique identification number known as the ‘Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR).’ This ID will be in addition to the existing 12-digit Aadhaar ID that students already have.
Key Highlights:
- Purpose of APAAR: The APAAR ID, also referred to as the Education Ecosystem Registry or edulocker, is envisioned as a lifelong ID number. Its primary purpose is to monitor and record a student’s academic journey and accomplishments throughout their educational life.
- Implementation: The ministry of education has instructed all states and Union Territories to commence the process of generating APAAR IDs for students. T G Sitharaman, the AICTE chairman, mentioned, “APAAR and National Credit Framework will be the QR code for learners across India. Every skill they acquire will be credited here.”
- Parent-Teacher Meetings: The state school education department has urged educational institutions to arrange parent-teacher meetings between October 16 and 18 to discuss the significance and implications of the APAAR ID.
- Basis of APAAR: The data collected on the Aadhaar ID will serve as the foundation for the APAAR ID. However, some school heads have expressed concerns about updating Aadhaar details of students on the portal.
- Data Confidentiality: While the consent of parents is mandatory for this initiative, the government has reassured that all data will remain confidential. It will only be shared with government agencies when necessary. Moreover, parents who initially give their consent have the option to retract it later. Once consent is granted, the onus of uploading the data on the central Unified District and Information System For Education Plus portal falls on the school.
- Additional Insights from India.com: Every Indian citizen has an Aadhaar Card as a unique identity proof. In a similar vein, the government is now planning to provide a unique identification number, APAAR, for all school students, both private and government. This initiative is in line with the ‘One Nation, One Student ID’ scheme of the National Education Policy, NEP 2020. The APAAR ID will not replace the Aadhaar ID but will complement it. The government has emphasized the importance of obtaining parental consent before creating the APAAR ID for students. Schools have been directed to update essential details like blood group, height, and weight of students, as this data will form the basis of the APAAR ID. The government has assured that student data will remain confidential and will be shared only with relevant government agencies when necessary.
