Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Mar 31: Smart Classes learning facility in about 220 J&K schools approved by the Union Government during 2015 is still a distant dream despite the fact that Government of India provided Rs 1265 lakh for first phase of the project.
Though majority of the Chief Education Officers and some Zonal officers from Udhampur, Reasi, Doda, Rajouri, Kathua, Samba and even Jammu claimed to have covered almost all the 10 schools in each district sanctioned under the project `Computer Aided Learning (CAL) centres with Smart Classes learning facility, besides provision of required infrastructure but the reality is far from the truth even today.
Over 80-90 percent of these 220 identified Smart Classes are technically lying defunct and the students there are not being provided Smart Classes learning facility even today while in majority of the schools, the concerned district heads have failed to provide computer trained staff.
Though the Government of India has sanctioned some more such facilities during current financial year, but the State Education department has failed to made these already sanctioned 220 schools fully functional. A senior Education officer in district Udhampur told the Excelsior on the condition of anonymity that in the district ten Middle/ High Schools like, Kharodian, MS Manlote, Upper Bathian, Jakheni, Chowki, Khoon, Amroh, Maand, Shatrari and Palgora etc have been covered under the project but hardly in any school Smart Classes learning facility is being provided.
In papers, all these Centres have been shown functional but insiders in the department said that only once at the time of formal commissioning, on the directions of the then Director SSA and Commissioner/ Secretary Education Shaleen Kabra, a few schools were connected for Video-conferencing with CM/ Chief Secretary etc but thereafter, they were not put to actual use. The concerned ZEO and Head Master hired computer knowing private person for one day and thereafter, the infrastructure was dumped in the rooms.
Same is the position in other districts, whether it is Poonch, Ramban, Kishtwar, Doda, Reasi, Rajouri, Jammu or Kathua besides majority of schools in Kashmir and Ladakh. The real purpose of the Scheme is being defeated. Another senior officer in Education department said that electricity and internet facility is also not available in many schools, especially those in remote areas. There is need to appoint technical staff for running Smart Classes and support staff for maintenance of the CAL Centres.
Sources in the Educational department disclosed that with the technical support of National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIEILIT), a total 220 Government schools across Jammu and Kashmir were provided Computer Aided Learning (CAL) centers with Smart Class learning facility for the students during 2015.
It further said that Union Government provided Rs 1265 lakh for the first phase of this project for the year 2015-16 under SSA. A total 220 Government schools, maximum ten in each district including Leh and Kargil were provided Smart Class Rooms with large interactive board, with LCD projector and visual presenter. Not only this, a Computer Lab was also set up in each school, having power back up of 3 KVA generator for uninterrupted power supply and voltage stabilizers besides at least three KVA UPS systems (online), with one hour back up.
The agency involved in the modernization of the school class rooms with advanced technology put the estimated cost of Rs 5.75 lakh for providing these facilities in each school. A Laptop with 13 configurations costing at least Rs 45,000 was provided to make the Smart Class rooms functional. Besides this three computers, four computer tables and same number of computer chairs with networking accessories for five systems were also provided.
According to MoU signed between the NIEILIT and State Education department, the project was supposed to be completed in three months but it took more than seven months time for completion. In first phase of this project, the Govt Middle and High Schools were included.
The purpose is to provide facility to the student to connect them with other parts of the country and visualize seminars and other education related programmes. It was suggested that this system will open a new window of knowledge for the students specially from the remote and far flung areas of the State like Kargil, Kupwara, Poonch, Kishtwar, Doda and Nobra area of Ladakh. All these schools have also been allotted UDISE Code. But this purpose has not been accomplished so far.
Minister for Education Altaf Bukhari when contacted said that there is some purpose to set up Smart Class Rooms in Schools and cover all of them gradually in phased manner. Bukhari said he will ensure that all these Smart Class and Computer Labs are made functional across the State. The Minister said he will collect details from all the CEOs and then accordingly, take measures to provide technical staff and also hire an agency for the maintenance of Computer Labs and upkeep of infrastructure raised there.
Meanwhile, in district Jammu, the 10 schools which are said to have provided this facility in first phase are: HS Mera Mandrian, HS Chak Majra, HS Keri, GHS Sarore, HS Lehar, HS Dhammi, HS Chowadi, HS Kaleeth, HS Baliyal and Govt HS Jinder Melu. 10 schools of district Samba are: MS Oudh, MS Randhwal, MS Barjani, MS Sumbli, MS Rakh Barotian, MS Rara, MS Arazi, MS Simblana Patyari, MS Gagore and MS Talab Datta. In Kathua district, ten schools covered in phase Ist are- KGBV Bani, KGBV Basohli, MS Billawar, MS Jandi, MS Chak Sheikha, MS Jagatpur, GMS Mahanpur, KGBV Machhedi, MS Chak Haria and MS Dhalli. Ten schools in Reasi district are- MS Kanthan, GMS Gota, MS Bakhoti, MS Chubi, GMS Jamlan, MS Chapanoo, MS Kahna, MS Dab Jagir, M S Kundorian and MS Simbal Choa.
In district Ramban Schools covered are: UPS Danar, UPS Manjoos, UPS (G) Sarbagni, GMS Gool, UPS Jiss, MS Dharmound, UPS Palti, UPS Maroge, UPS Barthyal and UPS Chunthan. In Rajouri district, 10 schools identified are-MS wing of HS Kalakote, MS Thathi, M S Jatote, GMS Dharamsal, GMS Hubbi, MS Upper Channi, MS Patrara, MS Nonial GREF, M S Taralla and GMS Kharian. Schools covered in Poonch are- GMS, Hullomo Hara, MS Parat, GMS Jhallas, MS Kalas, MS Nabana, GMS Rehllian, KGBV Saral, GMS Purani Poonch,M S Jandrola and MS Kallar Kattal. Ten schools of Kishtwar are – M S Lower Bendhera, M S Pyakul, H S Chingam, H S Inderwal, GHS Sarthal, H S Galigad, H S Banderna, H S Patimehal, H S Sohal and H S Massu.
Similarly the schools covered in district Srinagar are- BMS Ichnumbal, GMS Panthachowk, MS Noorbagh, BMS Syedpora,M S Panjkarwari, MS Muzgund, M S Nalbal, MS Manzgam, M S Mulnar and GMS Barzulla. Ten schools of Anantnag district are- M S Shoul, KGBV Hanji Danthar, GMS Arwani, KGBV Nagres, BMS Y K Pora, GMS Chitergul, GMS Uttersoo, M S Achlan Mobile, KGBV Dehwatoo and GMS Nowgam. In Budgam , the schools covered are GMS Nagbal, MS Sanjipora, M S Nusoo, M S Rakhaiye, M S Kremshore, GMS Yagipora, M S Putlibagh, GMS Badren, MS Bonzanigam and M S Thera. Ten schools in Baramulla are, GMS Naibast,GMS Feruzpora, BMS Arampora, BMS Hardu Chanum, GMS Uri, MS Kralweth, GMS Indergam, MS Chinned, BMS Hail Jageer and BMS Nowpora.
In Leh district 10 schools being covered under the scheme are, MS Ney, MS Kuzey, MS Hanu Khas Khas, MS Skurbuchan, MS Skampuk, MS Kuri, MS Muth, MS Tsaga, MS Tharuk and HS R S Sato. Schools of Kargil district are: M S Dargo, M S Slampora, M S Chukiyal, M S Yabgoo, M S Chulichan, M S Zganging, M S Karamba, M S Chatithang, MS Gyalingand MS Abran.
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