Why Visva-Bharati teachers question biometric attendance, monthly workload reports
The Visva-Bharati University Faculty Association (VBUFA) has opposed the recent university decision to introduce biometric attendance for employees and monthly workload reports for teachers, criticising the measures as unnecessary and harmful to the academic environment.
Visva Bharati university had issued a notification on August 6 making biometric attendance mandatory for all employees. On August 7, it directed teachers to submit monthly workload reports. At a general body meeting on August 8, faculty members decided to oppose both measures.
In an email to vice-chancellor Probir Kumar Ghosh, the VBUFA questioned whether biometric attendance would apply to faculty members, as the notification referred to all employees. The association later appealed to teachers not to submit their biometric data.
VBUFA raises questions
The VBUFA raised concerns about the collection and storage of fingerprints and asked for clarification on how biometric data would be protected and used for purposes beyond attendance. The association argued that University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines do not require the day-to-day workload of teachers to be recorded in the manner stated by the university.
VBUFA said the biometric attendance and monthly workload report measures were introduced without proper consultation with teachers.
The association claims that they were also inconsistent with Rabindranath Tagore’s approach to higher education and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which stresses teachers’ dignity, respect and autonomy.
Faculty body seeks better campus facilities
Instead of introducing the new reporting systems, the VBUFA urged the university to address gaps in basic academic infrastructure. It pointed to issues such as inadequate high-speed internet, smart classrooms, journal and library resources, faculty office space, toilets and canteen facilities.
The association has warned of legal action and protests if the measures are not rolled back. Visva-Bharati officials did not respond to calls seeking their comments at the time of filing.