Unique PEN for every Telangana school student soon

Hyderabad: The state government is going to introduce a Permanent Education Number (PEN) for every school student which will track the student’s educational journey from pre-primary to Class XII.

This 11-digit unique identifier, set to be implemented from the academic year 2023-24, will accompany the students even if they change schools, providing a reference point for their various learning stages.

Stating that the move will revolutionize the way students’ educational records are managed, an educational official explained: “The PEN, comprising details like name, date of birth, gender, and study details, will aid officials to track students even if they migrate to different schools within the state or change states altogether.” This innovation not only streamlines admissions but also opens doors for applications in scholarships, examinations, and employment opportunities, the official said.

Importantly, the PEN is distinct from the Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR), as it empowers authorities to monitor students regardless of their location within the country and assists in identifying dropouts, thereby facilitating their reintegration into the educational system.

To kick-start this initiative, the PEN will be incorporated into SSC (Secondary School Certificate) hall tickets and memos beginning from the 2023-24 academic year. This unique identifier will complement the conventional hall ticket numbers and memos that students are accustomed to.

Education department Secretary Vakati Karuna issued an order, authorising the school education departments to print PEN on SSC hall tickets and memos, marking the formal commencement of the student tracking system.

Furthermore, recording the student PEN in transfer certificates and record sheets from pre-primary to Class XII is now a mandatory practice in schools, ensuring the importance of maintaining and updating student details on the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE) portal.