SHUBHANGI SHIFA
Ranchi, May 21: The State School Education & Literacy Development Secretary Rajesh Kumar Sharma, while talking to the lagatar24.com correspondent, has said that around 1000 schools in the state have ICT labs set up in them, while around 3000 more schools will have ICT labs soon.
The secretary said this while talking about a recent report stating that around 32 percent of the 80 percent of schools with computer systems are not connected to the internet.
Talking about the report, Secretary Sharma said, “I am not sure of where they received their data because as per the report, several schools in Jharkhand have computers. However, it is yet to happen. We have ICT labs in around 1000 schools, and they are connected to the internet from their installation itself.”
He continued, “We hire external agencies for their setup, which are also responsible for the internet connection for the labs. We do not have ICT labs in 80 percent of schools. Even if the data considers tablets that are provided in the remaining schools as computers, we have provided at least one tab to every school, making the data 100 percent.”
“If these are to be considered as systems, then the net connection is provided for said tabs through the ‘school maintenance grant’ that is provided to schools already,” Sharma added.
When asked if the schools are to decide which net connection will be used, he said that a tender in this regard is taken out by the JEPC. Whichever company is then chosen provides a computer lab and internet for five years. For instance, major companies that we have hired include Extra Marks and Bennet Coleman along with a few others.
About the Jharkhand Education Minister’s recent wish of adding life stories of Shibu Soren, Binod Bihari Mahato and Nirmal Mahato to the syllabi of schools from the next academic session, Sharma said that he is yet to receive the letter in this regard.
Notably, Shibu Soren also known as Guruji, former MP Binod Bihari Mahato and Nirmal Mahato were active members of the movement for a separate Jharkhand. They worked for the poor, backward and tribals of the state. Furthermore, Nirmal Mahato had to even lose his life while fighting for the state.
However, some if not all of these leaders were also painted in a bad light by their opponents. Guruji even faced sedition charges. When asked if these parts of their lives will also be in the books for children, State School Education & Literacy Development Secretary Rajesh Kumar Sharma said, “We would focus on putting details of their lives which inspire children to do better in their lives.”
Furthermore, the education secretary explained the announcement made by the Chief Minister Hemant Soren to provide free books and uniforms to students of classes 9 to 12, stating that a tender has already been passed and free books will be provided to students from the upcoming session itself.
In the case of uniforms, he said, “We already provide the required amount in the accounts of the students for uniforms. This is because sizes may vary, hence it is better for the students to themselves purchase the uniforms.”
