RIIMS app furore rocks Assam; teachers to uninstall mobile application within October 25

VIOLATION OF PRIVACY ALLEGED

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The 'Axom Sikhak Mancha' -- an umbrella teachers' organization of the state -- has asked its members to uninstall the RIIMS mobile app within November 25. Earlier on September 23, 2021, the SSA (Samagra Sikshya, Assam), had directed the teachers of all government and provincialised schools in the State to install the mobile application.

Via this application, the SDMIS (Students' Database Management Information System) and TDMIS (Teachers' Database Management Information System) along with AI (artificial intelligence)-based attendance monitoring would be possible through facial recognition on a single platform. The umbrella teachers' organization has taken umbrage at the fact that their privacy and identity would be jeopardised. The 'Mancha' further added that the new mobile application requires the applicants to update sensitive data and information. The president of the Mancha, Ranjit Borthakur in an emergent meeting held here on Wednesday unanimously decided to uninstall the mobile application. Why should we upload our aadhaar card details to a private company while seeking installing the app? The company also wants total access to each subscribers' personal details. This is a violation of privacy rights.

The Mancha also said that they had submitted memorandas to higher authorities on October 5, 2021 in this regard. The Mancha had submitted copies of the memorandum to the State Education Minister, the Principal Secretary, Education department, and also the Special Commissioner Secretary, Education department to clear all confusions.

The Mancha also demanded a clarification on the information collected from students earlier by a private firm -- Brahmaputra. "We want the details to be made public immediately."

The 11 prominent teachers bodies under the aegis of the 'Axom Sikhak Mancha' revolting against the direction of the SSA have also threatened to move the Court if more pressure is imposed on them to install the mobile RIIMS app. The prominent teachers bodies are the Assam Rajyik Prathamik Sikshak Sanmilani, Sadou Assam Madhya Ingrazi Sikshak Sanstha, Assam Majalia School Sikshak Sanstha, Sadou Assam Sarkari Buniyadi Sikshak Sanstha, Sadou Asom Uchhatar Madhyamik Sikshak aru Karmachari Sanstha, Assam Kanistha Mahavidyalaya Sikshak Karmachari Sanstha, Nikhil Boro Prathamik Sikshak Sanstha, Assam High School Sikshak Sanstha, Assam Prathamik TET Utirnya Sikshak Samaj, Sadau Assam State Pool Sikshyak Sanstha, and the Vocational Sikshyak Sanstha.

Also Read: RIIMS App is an infringement of privacy, say teachers

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