Tata Interactive to digitise 1,000 schools by year end

The city-based Tata Group firm has already deployed the Classedge classroom solution in 100 schools across 52 cities, which are affiliated to various boards like the CBSE, ICSE, IGCSE and state boards.

"Initially, we are planning to cover private sector schools. We intend to target 1,000 schools in over 140 cities by the end of this academic year," Tata Interactive Systems chief executive Sanjay Sharma told PTI here.

The Classedge solution typically provides schools an Internet connection, a personal computer, a digital projector as well as regularly supply updated proprietary content, based on the syllabus through a cloud computing model.

The initiative is designed to enable what it calls a 'multiple learning experiences model', besides empowering teachers with a lesson plan approach, Sharma said.

"By this September, we intend to cover the entire country. From next year onwards, we intend to have content for 11th and 12th standards too. Once we have covered the private sector schools, we will look at government schools," added Sharma.

Towards achieving this goal, the company is planning to hire more people.
"Our aim is to increase our employee base in the school division from 250 to 600, which would also include 200 business development managers in these targeted 140 cities," he said.

On the cost structure, Sharma said it charges Rs 8,000 per classroom a month to provide the digital solution.

Tata Interactive Systems has a core in-house creative team of 350 people at its headquarters in Andheri in the suburban Mumbai, which consists of teachers, instructional designers and software programmers who continuously create, develop and upload lesson content based on various the syllabus.

"We are committed to the cause of making world-class education available in the country. Needless to say, technology-enabled learning will be critical in revamping our education system, which has over 12.5 lakh schools in both private and public domains. This presents a huge market for companies like us to take the lead and contribute to the growth of this sector," Tata Interactive Systems chief financial officer Amita Karia said.

The multiple learning experiences model of the 'Classedge Classroom Solution' is based on the premise that students learn better through a variety of multi-sensory experiences, including hands-on activities, discussions, debates, creative and critical thinking activities, collaborative research, field trips and multimedia, Karia said, adding lessons are designed to help schools implement effective teaching practises across curricula.