The Setting
A primary school 200km from the nearest town. Intermittent cellular signal. No fixed internet. Paper registers historically lost or damaged.
The Challenge
How do you track attendance reliably when connectivity can't be assumed?
The Approach
A hybrid system allowing:
- Offline data entry on tablets throughout the day
- Automatic sync when connection becomes available
- SMS-based parent notifications using basic phone network
- Monthly report generation regardless of internet status
The Outcome
After implementation:
- Attendance tracking accuracy improved from 65% to 99%
- Parents received timely absence notifications
- Historical data became accessible for the first time
- School qualified for government attendance-based funding
Technology must adapt to reality, not demand reality change for technology.