State overlooks its IT wing for smart classes

Accordingly, the Tamil Nadu Textbook and Educational Services Corporation has been entrusted to select a company for the supply of hardware and software for the smart classrooms that will set up in government primary and middle schools in the next three months. 

Selecting a private company for the purpose would cost the exchequer to the tune of Rs 60 crore, said a senior official in the Education department. Once the smart classes are set up, the private company will operate and maintain the hardware equipment, all application software, internet connectivity and the entire facility management including furniture for a period of 5 years. 

The company will appoint a project manager based at Chennai to coordinate, implement and to provide regular feedback regarding the project to the Director of Elementary Education. 

The official said the smart class will be equipped with a computer system, which will be used for teaching through an overhead projector. Tablets will be used for conducting online assessments, individual learning. 

The company will also train teachers on classroom management software. “A project manager will be appointed to overlook the implementation and smooth functioning of the project during the entire project period,” the official said. 

The official said a call centre will be set up to resolve basic technical issues that crop up in the system.