…pilot phase begins in six public schools
By De-Patriot
The Edo State Government, through the Directorate of Education Quality Assurance (DEQA), has officially introduced the Smart Attendance System (SAS), a technology-driven initiative designed to enhance punctuality, accountability, and performance culture among teachers in public schools.
The formal introduction of the Smart Attendance System took place on Thursday, 9th of October 2025 at Itohan Girls Grammar School, marking the commencement of the pilot phase across six schools in Edo State. Other schools include: Aduwawa Secondary School and Urora Secondary School, all in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area.
Day two of the program saw Evbareke Secondary School, Useh Secondary School, and Egor Secondary School as beneficiaries from Egor Local Government Area
The initiative is a joint collaboration between DEQA, the Information and Communications Technology Agency (ICTA), and Nero Digital Solutions, reflecting the state government’s drive to integrate innovation into education management and monitoring systems.
Speaking during the launch at Itohan Girls Grammar School, the Director-General of DEQA, Dr. Amen Ogbemudia, described the Smart Attendance System as a transformative tool that will help the government monitor teachers’ attendance in real time and promote a culture of responsibility and excellence.
“This innovation allows education managers to know, at a glance, the number of teachers present in any school across the state without leaving their offices, It will help eliminate ghost teachers, reduce truancy, and promote punctuality and integrity among our teachers, Dr Ogbemudia said”
She noted that the introduction of the Smart Attendance System is a developmental measure, not a punitive one, aimed at improving efficiency, transparency, and overall educational outcomes across Edo State schools.
She commended the Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, for his foresight and commitment to ensuring quality education across the state. She also praised the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Paddy Iyamu, for his open-minded leadership and support for innovative ideas that continue to drive progress in the education sector.
The Smart Attendance System will guaranteed immediate visibility of teachers’ attendance data statewide, detects absenteeism and eliminates ghost workers, automates attendance tracking and reduces paperwork, enhances the quality assurance process through accurate records and encourages discipline and professional commitment among teachers.
The pilot will run throughout the current academic term. At the end of the term, DEQA will collect feedback from school administrators, teachers, and inspectors to evaluate the system’s effectiveness, user experience, and impact on punctuality. The findings will guide plans for statewide deployment.
The Chief Inspector of Education (CIE) of Egor LGA, Mrs. Omono Ogbebor, lauded the initiative, stating that it provides a framework for guiding and evaluating teacher performance across the state. She also expressed gratitude to the governor for his positive impact on the education sector.
Similarly, the Principal of Egor Senior Secondary School, Mr. Onaifo Odion Osewengie, described the initiative as commendable, noting that it has brought unprecedented benefits to the school. He appealed for its sustainability, ensuring continued improvement in education quality.
We are building a system that works, when teachers are present and punctual, learning improves, and the future of our children becomes brighter. Edo State will continue to lead the way in educational innovation, Dr. Ogbemudia concluded.
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