In an ambitious move outlined within the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, school students are on the verge of receiving their very own unique identification numbers, subject to parental approval. The Union Ministry of Education has set its sights on establishing a ‘One Nation, One Student ID’ system, christened as the ‘Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR),’ which will be rolled out to encompass students ranging from pre-primary to higher education. It’s important to note that this initiative will complement the existing 12-digit Aadhaar ID assigned to each student.
The All New APAAR ID for Indian School Students
The APAAR ID, often referred to as an Education Ecosystem Registry or edulocker, is set to serve as a lifelong identification number, with its primary function being to meticulously track students’ educational journeys and accomplishments.
To kickstart this groundbreaking endeavor, the Ministry of Education has issued directives to all states and Union Territories, urging them to initiate the process of generating APAAR IDs for students. T. G. Sitharaman, Chairman of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), aptly describes APAAR as the ‘QR code for learners across India,’ underlining the pivotal role it will play in crediting and acknowledging every skill acquired by students.
The state school education department, in response to the central directive, has called upon educational institutions to convene meetings involving parents and teachers between October 16 and 18. These meetings will focus on elucidating the significance of creating the APAAR ID.
It’s worth noting that the data recorded on the Aadhaar ID will serve as the foundational basis for the creation of the APAAR ID. Nevertheless, educational institutions have voiced concerns about the challenges they face in updating Aadhaar details on the portal.
While the consent of parents is a prerequisite for this process, the government has provided assurances that the data will remain confidential and will only be shared with government agencies when deemed necessary. Parents who initially provide consent retain the option to withdraw it at any point. Following consent, it becomes the responsibility of the school to upload the information to the central Unified District and Information System for Education Plus portal. This initiative holds the potential to significantly enhance the education system and empower students by providing a comprehensive and easily accessible academic record.
