THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a bid to become digital, 44 government schools in the city will receive hi-tech classrooms by the next academic year. The project is part of the Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education (KITE) Hi-Tech school project. The Corporation has already prepared the list of schools and even sanctioned an amount of Rs 30 lakh for the project.
The schools which fall in the list will be equipped with a laptop, ceiling-mounted multi-media projector, projection screen/painted wall and sound system along with broadband connectivity, said Sudharsanan C, Education and Sports Standing Committee, chairperson. “These schools have been selected to be converted into hi-tech classrooms during the first phase. The fund allotted for the project will be used as per the requirement of an individual school. Some of the schools already have a few facilities and need only to be upgraded with modern facility. However, there are other schools which need to be developed from scratch. Such schools require a lot of initial capital. As per requirement, more funds will be granted for the project,’’ said S Pushpalatha, public work standing committee chairperson.
The Corporation plans to convert the classrooms of those schools, which have been listed under the scheme, into hi-tech rooms before the end of May next year. Through this, the civic body envisages bringing all the classrooms from Class eight to 12 of all government and aided high schools, higher secondary schools and vocational higher secondary schools in the state into a digital space.
Corporation faces the heat
Meanwhile, UDF councillors alleged that only LDF ward councillors school have been included in the list. “The list mainly includes schools of LDF councillors ward. We were not even aware about such applications being collected by the standing committee,” said V R Sini, UDF councillor.Denying the allegation, Pushpalatha claimed that the list is only part of the initial phase. More applications are being considered from the councillors to include schools from their respective wards. They will be added in the next phase, she added.
What are digital schools?
Each classroom will be equipped with laptop, multimedia projector, whiteboard and sound system. Each Hi-Tech IT Lab will feature desktop computers with UPS, multifunction printers, LCD TV and a HD Camera. Specific security features will be installed in schools.