Qatar launches palm recognition system to record attendance in government schools and buses

The Ministry of Education and Higher Education has started implementing the “Hodori” system across all government schools and school buses in Qatar with the beginning of the 2026–2027 academic year.

The digital system uses palm recognition technology to record student attendance and departure, improving the accuracy of attendance monitoring and strengthening school discipline.

System Successfully Tested in Six Schools

Before its wider rollout, the Hodori system was tested in six government schools across different educational levels, involving around 5,000 students.

The pilot demonstrated the system’s effectiveness and showed that schools were ready for broader implementation. It also improved the efficiency of attendance and absence tracking while making data recording faster and more accurate.

How the Hodori System Works

The Hodori system uses contactless palm recognition technology to register students quickly and securely.

Students only need to bring their palm close to the device’s screen for recognition. The Ministry has completed the technical and operational preparations and distributed the required devices to government schools and school buses.

Attendance for Students Using Private Transport

Students who travel to school using private transportation will register their attendance twice a day.

• Morning: Upon arriving at school.

• Afternoon: At the end of the school day when leaving school.

The registration upon arrival serves as confirmation of the student’s attendance, while the second registration records their departure.

Four Registration Stages for School Bus Students

Students travelling by school bus will be registered at four stages during their daily journey:

• When boarding the bus in the morning.

• When arriving at school and getting off the bus.

• When boarding the bus after the school day ends.

• When arriving at their destination before leaving the bus.

This process helps provide a clearer record of the student’s journey between home and school.

Improving Student Safety and Monitoring

The system is designed to strengthen the monitoring of students throughout their daily school journey.

Recording attendance when students arrive at school and departure when they board the bus for the return journey provides more accurate information and supports existing security and safety procedures.

Supporting Qatar’s Digital Transformation

The launch of Hodori forms part of the Ministry’s wider efforts to promote digital transformation in education and introduce modern technology into the school environment.

By providing accurate, up-to-date attendance data, the system can reduce administrative work for school supervisors and support more efficient monitoring and communication with parents.

With its nationwide implementation, Hodori represents another step toward creating a more digitally connected, efficient and secure school environment in Qatar.