Bhubaneswar: Minister School and Mass Education, Shri Nityananda Gond has said that there is extensive efforts to integrate technology into the educational system in Odisha.
Replying to a question raised by Shri Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo, Senior Lawmaker of Balangir in Odisha Legislative Assembly on 19 September, Minister detailed about State’s digital learning initiatives in the schools in the State of Odisha.
Focusing on the Balangir district, which was specifically mentioned in the question, the Minister confirmed that 604 government elementary and secondary schools in the area have been equipped with smart classrooms under the Samagra Shiksha program.
To address a key aspect of digital infrastructure, the Minister stated that all government schools have been instructed to establish internet connections and use their composite grants to cover the associated costs, demonstrating a push to ensure connectivity statewide.
He disclosed that a total of 8,679 government and aided secondary schools now have smart classrooms and e-libraries. This is in addition to the 6,427 government upper primary schools that have also been equipped with smart classrooms.
Minister said that 37 Government Higher Secondary Schools have been set up with 50-seated Digital Libraries. Furthermore, 310 Government Higher Secondary Schools and 21 Government Vocational Higher Secondary Schools are now equipped with smart classrooms.
He said that 980 secondary schools have been provided with digital assessment facilities, with each school receiving 20 tablets for students to access digital content. For teachers, 96,718 primary-level teachers have been given tablet computers to support digital education.
A total of 8,044 elementary schools across the state have been installed with Smart TVs, said Minister.