This paper introduces a prototype Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)-based smart attendance system developed to overcome common technical and operational challenges in educational environments, including cost, scalability, hardware dependence, and hygiene concerns. The proposed system utilizes two dedicated mobile applications: one for teachers and another for students. In contrast to conventional BLE-based models where students broadcast signals, this design reverses the communication direction. The teacher’s device functions as the sole BLE beacon, transmitting a session-specific encrypted UUID, while student devices operate as passive scanners that detect proximity and send encrypted check-in requests to a central server. The system emphasizes energy efficiency, secure data exchange, and minimal infrastructure requirements, ensuring reliable operation even in large classrooms. Experimental testing demonstrates strong performance, high reliability, and ease of use. Comparative analysis with existing methods and id limitations validate its potential as a scalable and low-maintenance alternative to traditional