The School Education Department has mandated the use of Permanent Education Number (PEN) starting from the academic year 2024-25. This initiative, facilitated by the Union Ministry of Education‘s UDISE+ portal, seeks to streamline administrative processes and minimize hardships for students and parents during school migrations.
The introduction of PEN, a unique identifier assigned to each student, marks a paradigm shift in the education system’s approach towards managing student transitions. S. Suresh Kumar, Commissioner of Andhra Pradesh School Education, emphasized the importance of this initiative in ensuring smooth transitions, particularly for students relocating during crucial academic years such as Classes 2, 5, 7, or 8.
Traditionally, the transfer process often involved cumbersome documentation requirements, causing delays and frustrations for families. With PEN, however, students can seamlessly transition between schools without the need for extensive paperwork. This digitized approach not only reduces administrative burdens but also mitigates the risk of student dropouts, a concern prevalent in the previous system.
One of the key features of the PEN system is its integration with the UDISE+ portal, encompassing a vast network of over 14.89 lakh schools, 95 lakh teachers, and 26.5 crore children. Through this portal, District Education Officers (DEOs) are tasked with mapping students to their preferred schools, ensuring their data is automatically transferred to the new institution.
Furthermore, to keep parents informed throughout the transition process, the department plans to implement SMS alerts and welcome messages following a student’s transfer. This proactive communication strategy aims to provide reassurance to parents and facilitate a sense of belonging for students in their new educational environment.
In addition to PEN, the department is spearheading efforts to digitize student documents and promote the use of Digilocker accounts, starting from Class 1. By embracing digital platforms, officials seek to streamline administrative processes and enhance data security while promoting paperless transactions.
To ensure the timely execution of these initiatives, the Commissioner has set clear deadlines for officials at various levels. DEOs are expected to complete the task of student transitions by April 23, while processing applications from private unaided schools for recognition or renewal will adhere to strict timelines outlined by the department.
