Lucknow, July 1: Aadhaar, a 12-digit unique identification number, will soon be integrated in the curriculum of children attending state-run schools in Uttar Pradesh.
The Uttar Pradesh Department of Basic Education has agreed in principle with the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) Lucknow to include an Aadhaar chapter in school textbooks beginning with the next academic year.
During a recent discussion with UIDAI officials, Vijay Kiran Anand, Director General of School Education, stressed the need for a formal proposal to include Aadhaar and related information into the curriculum, which is now pending government clearance.
Anand stressed the necessity of providing broad knowledge on Aadhaar, including its advantages and uses, to youngsters. As a result, beginning with the forthcoming academic year, Aadhaar-related information will be incorporated in textbooks.
The Aadhaar chapter will discuss different issues, such as the enrolment method, cost, distinguishing traits, and authentication, drawing inspiration from Punjab, where a comparable practise exists.
The UIDAI has also created a paper named “Mera Aadhaar, Meri Pehchaan” (My Aadhaar, My Identity) to aid learning, which features a discussion between two students underlining the importance and advantages of Aadhaar.
Lieutenant Colonel Prashant Kumar Singh, Deputy Director General of UIDAI Lucknow, spoke about the effort and emphasised the necessity of making youngsters aware of the Aadhaar enrolment procedure, which differs for children and adults. The goal of including a specific chapter in textbooks is to familiarise students with Aadhaar, its usage, and features.
This knowledge is crucial since submitting Aadhaar information allows students to benefit from a variety of government services, including free uniforms and mid-day meals.
Biometrics, such as fingerprints and iris scans, are not collected during Aadhaar enrolment for children under the age of five, according to Singh. As a result, this biometric information is not included in the child’s Aadhaar database.
However, once a kid reaches the age of five, it is obligatory to update their biometrics in the Aadhaar system.
In order to ensure accessibility, the UIDAI team has recommended publishing Aadhaar data on the inner cover pages of school textbooks and notebooks, in the event that an entire chapter cannot be provided.
According to officials, Punjab follows a similar format, with the Aadhaar chapter in textbooks addressing the enrolment procedure, cost, key features, and authentication.
