Puducherry, Aug 6 (BPNS)

The Union Territory of Puducherry is to convert all its classrooms in government schools to turn into smart classrooms. The officials have drawn up plans to introduce smart classes in the primary schools of the territory with audio-visual devices,  smart TVs and projectors, and e-content where the facility is planned.

Around 200 primary schools in the territory will be converted into smart classrooms in the initial phase. Sources in the education department of the UT told BPNS that around 1.5 to 2 lakh rupees are required for converting each classroom and the money for this will be tapped through Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan.

The Puducherry education minister A. Namassivayam while speaking to BPNS said, “We are in the process of converting the primary schools into smart classes and we are trying to scout for funds. Presently the class 10 and 12 government school classrooms across the UT have Information Communication Technology classrooms and we are planning to extend the same to middle and primary schools in the UT thus converting all the government schools into smart classes.”

The education department is also in the process of implementing the Nipun Bharath Mission which is to create an enabling environment of foundational literacy and numeracy.  This is to ensure that each child achieves the writing, reading, and numerical skills before they reach class 3.

The UT government of Puducherry has already initiated discussions in converting the classrooms into smart classes with a Bengaluru-based vendor and the state school education secretary, A. Muthamma had conducted a high-level discussion in this regard.