While most government schools lack basic infrastructure, the Rajkiya Pratibha Vikas Vidyalayas are using technology to make learning easier with the help of interactive white boards.
These are the same schools that were pulled up recently by the High Court for not filing up 1,400 seats in class 6 in 2011, apparently because of change in rules that did not allow screening of children who apply for admission.
The schools claimed that they didn’t know how to interpret the new rules.
One such school in Surajmal Vihar is the first government school to get three interactive whiteboards and SMART education software free of cost. It was given by SMART Technologies. The school bought only projectors and computers to operate the software.
“We need infrastructure to accommodate advanced technology in government schools. Teaching is easier and effective and learning has become exciting for students with this audio-visual medium,” said Renu Sabharwal, principal of the school.
Sabharwal said that chalk dust allergies can also be prevented with the help of this technology. “It saves time and children learn how to brainstorm. They also do not dose off and stay alert. We plan to organise a workshop soon for teachers on using interactive whiteboards,” she said.
Teachers say they have benefited from using this tool, especially while teaching abstract concepts in Maths and Science. Graphs and diagrams can be used easily.
“We are also able to form lesson plans on the software at home. Now I enjoy better involvement of students,” said Samidha Chowdhry, an English teacher, who teaches students from class 6 to 10.
Ritika, a class 10 student, said she was nervous in the beginning but enjoyed writing on the board over time. “It helped me retain whatever I learn in class. Now I like coming to class every day,” she said.
The company’s MD Sanjiv Pande said the country is shifting from a labour-intensive economy to a knowledge-based one. He said they are working closely with the Delhi government and has give 12 interactive boards free of cost to 10 schools.