Govt orders school headmasters to update WhatsApp numbers for live oversight
According to the notification, secondary schools are monitored live through WhatsApp using the DMS app.
The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) has instructed headmasters of all government and non-government secondary schools to link WhatsApp-enabled mobile numbers to their Personnel Data Sheet (PDS) records to strengthen field-level monitoring.
The directive was issued as inactive WhatsApp accounts linked to headmasters' PDS numbers have disrupted live monitoring via the Digital Monitoring System (DMS) app.
The Monitoring and Evaluation Wing of DSHE issued the notification on Tuesday (25 August), which was published on the DSHE website today (30 August).
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According to the notification, secondary schools are monitored live through WhatsApp using the DMS app.
However, field-level monitoring is being disrupted as most of the mobile numbers stored in headmasters' PDS records are not active on WhatsApp.
Headmasters whose PDS-listed numbers are not suitable for WhatsApp use have been instructed to replace them with WhatsApp-enabled numbers and update their PDS records within five working days.
The DSHE described the matter as "extremely urgent" and informed the relevant regional deputy directors.
The directive applies to headmasters of all government and non-government secondary schools under DSHE.
The move is aimed at making DMS-based live monitoring more effective by ensuring that headmasters can be reached through WhatsApp.
DSHE officials said the DMS is used to quickly collect and monitor information on field-level educational activities through a digital system.
Ensuring WhatsApp-enabled numbers for headmasters will help make the monitoring process more effective.
