Ranchi: Nearly 20,000 housing school students run by the Department of Foreign Affairs SC, ST, the welfare of a minority and backward class will soon have a cellular tablet that supports the internet for online learning.
The department compiled a proposal to provide internet capable tablets last month.
The proposal was recommended by the Department of Champai Soren and is currently waiting with the State Planning and Finance Department to be approved.
After approval, the proposal will be included before the State Cabinet for his approval.
The current department runs 143 housing schools in 24 district districts.
From them, 98 is a housing school for boys while 45 for girls.
However, this scheme will not be extended to the eklavya model school, which is run by the center.
“The proposal has been prepared along the central proposal line for the eklavya model school.
The tablet will be included with the study material by NCERT,” a senior official in the department requested anonymity.
Apart from tablets, the department will also provide a SIM card with 12 months of recharging.
Internet data will reach 2 GB for a day.
“The need to distribute cellular tablets that supports the internet is felt because all housing schools run by the department are currently closed due to Covid-19 pandemic.
Closure has had a negative impact on the students’ academics,” the official added.
Soren did not respond to TOI calls when contacted to understand whether students would be given tablets even if schools opened back in the coming days.
The proposal stands in a very contrasting to the government managed by the government, which has requested faculties and students to arrange equipment and the internet for their own online class.
Seizing the closing opportunity provided by Pandemi, the department said it also took improvement in maintenance and infrastructure from 50 housing schools at a net cost of Rs 30 Crore.