The Ministry of Education has confirmed that it would be mandatory for all students at public schools, including those in remote areas, to record their biometric details with the government under a new attendance monitoring system to be introduced over the next two years.

Mohammad Saad Al-Shathry, the ministry's undersecretary for financial and administrative affairs, said a special committee was formed to conduct studies on the proposed system.

Al-Shathry said the studies would deal with various obstacles including linking remote villages to the system. "We are seeking to find the right solutions to move forward with its application," he said.

He said the ministry had adopted the project and would soon issue public tenders. The project would be implemented in three stages over the course of two years and would include all students and education offices.

Earlier, Al-Shathry said that the cost of the system would be revealed after completing the tender and bidding process in compliance with the country's competition regulations. He said the ministry was developing a guide for the required specifications.

The project comes in the wake of school principals calling for the installation of cameras in classrooms to monitor the performance and discipline of teachers and students. Cameras have already been installed in the courtyards, playgrounds, cafeterias and corridors of several schools.