PATNA, Aug. 3 -- The Bihar education department is set to eliminate manual reporting by equipping all 75,000 schools in the state with high-tech tablets integrated with the e-shiksha kosh software. This initiative will automate the collection and transmission of daily data on academic activities, teacher and student attendance, mid-day meals, and other school programs, directly to the department's headquarters dashboard, reducing the administrative burden on school authorities. Additional chief secretary, education, S Siddhart said that the e-shiksha kosh software is designed to seamlessly gather critical school data without requiring the role of headmasters or supervisory officials to prepare and submit reports manually. "The system will function at its optimal level once every school receives tablets with 128GB memory, equipped with tamper-proof software and dedicated SIM cards providing 2GB of daily data," he added. These tablets will transmit real-time information on teacher and student attendance (including arrival times), mid-day meal menus and serving times, academic and extracurricular activities, and the implementation of various government schemes. Schools will receive one to three tablets based on the strength of students and teachers. The tablet distribution is part of the Central government's e-shiksha kosh project, launched three years ago to digitize school monitoring across India. However, the project faced delays in Bihar due to funding shortages, which halted progress for two years. According to an official, the state is now poised to place orders for additional tablets as funds are expected to be released within days. Currently, nearly half of Bihar's schools are equipped with these tablets, while others are temporarily relying on headmasters' and teachers' mobile phones to compile data. This technological push aligns with broader efforts to enhance school oversight and accountability. On Friday, chief minister Nitish Kumar announced significant hikes in honorariums for school staff, increasing payments for mid-day meal cooks from Rs.1,650 to Rs.3,300, night guards from Rs.5,000 to Rs.10,000, and physical education instructors from Rs.8,000 to Rs.16,000. These measures aim to improve staff morale and service quality, complementing the department's digital monitoring initiatives. An official said that the e-shiksha kosh platform is part of a national push to leverage technology for educational governance. The system not only streamlines data collection but also enables real-time analytics, allowing education officials to identify and address issues promptly, such as teacher absenteeism or delays in mid-day meal distribution. A 2024 UNICEF report on digital education further emphasizes that such initiatives can bridge administrative gaps in rural schools, where manual reporting often leads to inaccuracies or delays. In Bihar, where over 70% of schools are in rural areas, this system could significantly enhance transparency and efficiency. The state's education sector has been undergoing reforms to improve learning outcomes, with a focus on infrastructure upgrades and teacher training. The introduction of tablets aligns with these efforts, positioning Bihar as a leader in adopting digital tools for education management among Indian states. However, challenges remain, including ensuring reliable internet connectivity in remote areas and training staff to use the new system effectively. The education department has assured that the tablets' tamper-proof design and dedicated SIM cards will minimize technical issues and prevent data manipulation. With the rollout of tablets and enhanced monitoring, Bihar's education system is poised for a digital leap, promising greater accountability....