Selfies have invaded our lives big time. You are not a millennial if you haven’t ever taken a selfie. Don’t judge the selfie takers; their friends are probably thanking them for not forcing them to take their pictures. Nobody has been left untouched from the selfie phenomenon, and this time it’s the UP government that is using the selfie craze for something that actually matters. 

© BCCL

Teachers in government-run schools in Chandauli have to now take selfies with their students every day to prove they are on duty. 

This ‘attendance-with-selfie’ campaign launched by the district administration requires teachers to click selfies with their students and the day’s newspaper and send it to a WhatsApp group ‘Attendance with Selfie’. 

© BCCL

Attendance in schools in rural areas has always been a concern. This innovative move was devised after parents complained of absence of teachers in schools in many rural areas. Social activist Navin Krishna Rai who was called to conduct a survey of primary schools in the area told HT, “Many teachers were causal about attending schools in remote areas. Some teachers posted in far-flung parts did not bother to take classes. The survey brought forth the stark reality of teachers’ attendance.” 

So far, the selfie ritual has found support from teachers and students are all too excited to get clicked in the day’s selfie. We are glad finally the selfie was put to some good use!