- 250 zip schools proposed
- 8.20 crore mineral fund found
Nagpur. For nearly 29 months, the proposal for digitization of 250 Zilla Parishad schools in the district is pending with the government for approval. Despite the availability of funds, schools have not been made digitized due to lack of approval till now. In fact, the work of digitization of schools has been started to provide computerized education to children in rural areas and to enhance the quality of Zilla Parishad schools.
So far, Android TV Digital has been provided in 154 schools, LED TV Digital in 235 schools and computer and projector facilities in 647 schools. So far, more than 1,036 have been digitized in 1,535 schools in the district, but since the change of government, the matter has come to a standstill. In fact, the proposal of other 250 schools has not been approved for more than two and a half years.
Tender was also issued
The schools which have been digitized, in fact, the quality of students has increased due to this. Keeping this in mind, there is a plan to equip 100% of the schools in the district with the above facilities. The JIP administration had prepared a proposal to digitize 250 schools from the Rs 8.20 crore that was received in the approved mineral fund of Rs 10 crore. Its tender was also issued. Since the said proposal was more than Rs 8 crore, it was necessary to send it to the state government for final approval. The proposal was sent to the High Powered Committee of the Government on August 17, 2019 for approval, but till now the file is lying dusty there.
Efforts to increase student numbers
The schools of the Zilla Parishad were not able to compete with the private schools in the district and the number of students is decreasing every year. Therefore, it was decided to digitize the schools of the state under the Pragati Shikshak Maharashtra programme. The then CM Devendra Fadnavis had set a target to update 100% of the schools in Nagpur district with new technology. At that time 1,036 schools were made digital out of 1,535, but this work came to a standstill after the change of power.
Efforts were made to modernize the schools with the help of Zip Cess Fund, 14th Finance Commission fund, Gram Panchayat, teachers and public participation. The Zilla Parishad has also provided software to help some schools in teaching and learning. The department official says that if the proposal of Rs 8.20 crore is approved, then 250 more schools will be digitised. Students will get the benefit of this.