Chhatrapur: In a move to inculcate and promote reading habits among the students for their overall development, the Ganjam District Administration is setting up Smart Libraries-cum-Infotainment Centers in 278 High Schools in the district.
This move will help more than 30,000 students reading in these schools and it will make students closer to books, officials say.
The District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) is taking up the program on Mission Mode and taking all necessary steps for transforming the Government High Schools under the ambitious Schools Transformation Program under 5T initiatives.
Sharing the picture of a smart library set up at Karadakana High School of Sheragada block, the Project Director of District Rural Development Agency (DRDA), Ganjam, Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde informed that such libraries will be established in 278 high schools.
2016 Batch IAS, Mr.Shinde sources said that Model was developed by DRDA and Block Authorities are implementing the Program.
These Libraries will have books as well as computers and Kindle Tablets for better reach to the new generation, said an official.
Already completed in 25 High Schools, as many as 278 High Schools of the Ganjam district has been covered under the fold for overall development of the infrastructure.
The work has already started in the schools that have been identified for the program in the 25 blocks of the district.
DRDA is planning to complete the works before 15 August so that the students reading in these schools will reap benefit.
In fact, Odisha Government has initiated this program to transform the schools especially the high schools in various districts with the introduction of modern facilities.
Senior IAS officer and 5T Secretary, VK Pandian is spearheading the transformation process and has been visiting schools periodically. He also personally reviews the progress.
Special Secretary Chief Minister Office(CMO) R Vineel Krishna is monitoring the innovative program, said sources.
Mr.Krishna is visiting the district and closely monitoring the developmental and people’s programs carried out by the District Administration, officials say.
Under High School Transformation Program, not only smart library, but also other facilities like smart classrooms, computer rooms, science laboratories, sports facilities, reading rooms, laboratory, drinking water facilities, hygienic toilets, etc are being set up under the 5T initiative to ensure conducive study environment in the schools.
Such infrastructures are also being set up in different high schools across the State including Balasore, Sundergarh and Koraput, official say.
Recently, the 5T Secretary Mr.Pandian has launched the ambitious High School Transformation program in Subarnapur district. Six high schools, one from each Block will be transformed initially in the district.
While the major contribution will be from the ‘Mo School’ funds, the remaining amount will be adjusted from the Gram Panchayat Development (GPD) funds, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds, DMF, etc, sources said.
The State Government has recently taken the decision to reserve 15 Percent of the seats in Engineering and Medical colleges for students passing out of the Government-run high schools.
Meanwhile, the teachers, students, parents and community members have welcomed the initiatives of the State Government.