The Sindh Textbook Board has made the decision to incorporate QR codes (quick-response codes) in textbooks as a measure to ensure the authenticity of books available in the market. This initiative aims to address the issue of counterfeit books circulating in the market.
Agha Sohail, Chairman of the Sindh Textbook Board, highlighted the importance of introducing QR code security to distinguish between genuine and fake books. The QR code feature will be implemented in textbooks for 9th and 10th standards across the province of Sindh.
Students and parents will have the convenience of scanning the QR code using their mobile devices to verify the authenticity of the books. This innovative approach will provide a reliable method for confirming the legitimacy of educational resources.
Furthermore, the Chairman stated that each book for the academic year 2023-24 will be assigned a unique serial number, which will be linked to the respective QR code.
QR codes, or quick-response codes, are two-dimensional matrix barcodes originally developed by the Japanese company Denso Wave in 1994 for labeling automobile parts. Over time, QR codes have become increasingly prevalent in consumer advertising and marketing. They can be scanned using a smartphone, which converts the code into a useful form, such as a website URL, eliminating the need for manual entry.
The introduction of QR codes in textbooks by the Sindh Textbook Board signifies a proactive step towards ensuring the integrity and authenticity of educational materials. This initiative will provide students, parents, and educators with a reliable means to verify the legitimacy of textbooks, promoting a secure learning environment.
