Simprints drives improvement in Zambian schools
We’re unpacking results from ‘The Use of Biometrics in Impact Network Schools in Rural Zambia’: a groundbreaking case study on the use of biometrics to track student and teacher attendance in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Tracking attendance at schools
The case study details how accurate school attendance data is critical, since teacher and student attendance influences student learning outcomes. Yet, tracking attendance is challenging in low- and middle-income countries. Schools generally rely on paper-based systems that may be inaccurate, susceptible to manipulation, and of limited use in informing decisions in a timely manner.
Impact Network and Simprints implemented a pilot using our biometric technology in eight primary schools that use the eSchool 360 model to improve learning outcomes for students in rural eastern Zambia. The project aimed to use fingerprint technology to enable more frequent analysis of attendance trends and trigger follow-ups with absent students, with the ultimate goal of improving student attendance rates.
Study results
- Impact Network staff, teachers, and students noted that using biometrics increased the accuracy of attendance data, compared with relying on paper-based records alone.
- Teachers and Impact Network support staff felt that the use of biometrics to track attendance encouraged regular attendance, since students were excited to use the fingerprint scanner.
- Administrative staff reported that biometric attendance data helped inform resource allocations and target student follow-ups.
Victoria Rothbard, a UX Researcher, specialising in conducting research with vulnerable populations who use technology, was part of the American Institutes for Research (AIR) team who completed an independent evaluation of Simprints work in Zambia, on behalf of Impact Network.
Victoria commented on the results from the study:
“Students and teachers perceived the technology to be valuable and usable. In terms of value, students loved the tech! The community and teachers were also supportive and trusted it. Data collected through the tech was more reliable than manual registries and allowed teachers/staff to follow up with absentee students faster – enabling quicker action to combat student absenteeism.
At times, the tech struggled to recognize certain children’s fingerprints (so teachers looked up student ID manually) and scanning sometimes cut into instructional time, suggesting the need for additional training to streamline implementation moving forward.”
Victoria’s overarching takeaway from the research is powerful:
“Biometrics have the potential to improve attendance tracking in schools, even in resource constrained settings”.
Learn more
- Delve into our evidence base in the Impact section
- Explore our Resources
