500 classrooms in state’s schools to get digital boards

As many as 500 classrooms in 615 government schools in Karnataka will soon get digital boards and other information communication technology (ICT) tools for teaching-learning under the Centre-sponsored Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA).

The Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry has approved the government’s proposal for replacement of traditional blackboards with digital boards and for procurement of various ICT tools, including computers, for 615 elementary schools in various districts.

In the first phase of the rollout of ‘operation digital board’ under SSA, the ministry has also approved the proposals of various other states, including Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Delhi for digital classrooms and other ICT initiatives in schools. The ministry has approved Karnataka’s proposal for 500 digital classrooms and various other ICT initiatives at an estimated outlay of Rs 47.63 crore, official sources said.

A total of 26 government elementary schools in Bagalkot district have been identified for implementation of the plan - 18 in Ballari, 31 in Belagavi, 34 in Belagavi-Chikkodi, 14 in Bengaluru Rural, 8 in Bengaluru North, 16 in Bengaluru South, 13 in Bidar, 28 in Chamarajanagar, 20 in Chikkaballapur, 21 in Chikkamagaluru, 15 in Chitradurga, 17 in Dakshina Kannada, 27 in Davangere, 10 in Dharwad, 11 in Gadag and 36 in Hassan.

The digital classroom plan will be implemented in a total of 20 government schools in Haveri, 13 in Kalaburagi, 18 in Kodagu, 6 in Kolar, 9 in Koppal, 14 in Mandya, 30 in Mysuru, 3 in Raichur, 13 in Ramanagar, 19 in Shivamogga, 25 in Tumakuru, 13 in Tumakuru-Madhugiri, 23 in Udupi, 14 in Uttara Kannada, 16 in Vijayapura and 2 in Yadgir.

After execution of the plan, the state governments will have to ensure that a school-wise record of the ICT inventory is duly maintained online and also made available to the HRD ministry “as and when required.”

“States will also have to ensure annual maintenance of each hardware item procured under the scheme so that they remain in running condition,” official sources said.

The state governments have also been asked to instal software in the computers or laptops, to be procured under the plan, and link it to their servers to monitor when the systems are turned on and turned off. “This will ensure that the computers are not kept idle,” he added.