In Russia, Students Won’t Lose Face When Entering School
A new facial recognition system will let students enter school without cards or passes, while parents receive instant confirmation that their child has safely arrived
A new legislative initiative in Russia may soon authorize the use of biometric identification for secure access to school grounds nationwide, expanding on a successful pilot program in Tatarstan, where the technology has already demonstrated strong results.
Twenty schools in the region installed facial recognition systems powered by the Unified Biometric System (UBS). The technology automatically registers a student’s arrival without the need for ID cards or physical passes. The pilot became the first large-scale example of UBS integration in an educational environment, and its outcomes have shaped plans for broader national adoption.
Speaking at a plenary session of the Federation Council, Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Grigorenko emphasized the success of the trials. According to him, the technology offers parents additional peace of mind:
Grigorenko also highlighted the advantages of biometric identification: “A face cannot be forged,” the deputy prime minister stated, explaining the rationale behind choosing this method.
Indeed, biometric authentication adds an extra layer of security and eliminates risks associated with borrowed or lost access cards. Schools do not store original facial images; instead, they keep mathematical templates, which minimizes the risk of data leaks.
Voluntary Participation
Participation in the system is voluntary and requires parental consent. This ensures a comfortable, gradual rollout of the technology while maintaining trust among students and families.
Beyond enhancing safety, biometric systems are expected to streamline attendance tracking and integrate these records into the broader digital infrastructure of the national education system.
