Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA)-Digital Learning in Schools
Introduction of digital learning in schools
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
RAJYA SABHA
QUESTION NO 61
ANSWERED ON 21.12.2017
Introduction of digital learning in schools
61 Shri Harivansh
Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state :-
(a) whether Government has any vision or plan to introduce digital learning in schools all over the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) how Government proposes to move in this direction?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)
(a) to (c) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN PARTS (a) TO (c) OF THE REPLY TO RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 61 REGARDING “INTRODUCTION OF DIGITAL LEARNING IN SCHOOLS” FOR ANSWER ON 21.12.2017 ASKED BY SHRI HARIVANSH
(a) to (c) Yes, Sir. The government has taken several steps to introduce digital learning in schools. Under the centrally sponsored scheme of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), there is a provision of Innovation Fund for Computer Aided Learning (CAL) to maximize coverage in upper primary schools with special emphasis on Science and Mathematics teaching.
The Government has also introduced Digital Learning in Government & Government Aided Secondary and Higher Secondary schools under Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Schools component of centrally sponsored scheme of Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan, to impart computer literacy and computer enabled learning by providing ICT labs including hardware, educational softwares and e-contents for teaching. So far, 88957 schools have been approved under the scheme. Further, the government has undertaken various initiatives for digital learning in school education such as:
- e-pathshala has been developed by NCERT (National Council for Educational Research and Training) for showcasing and disseminating all educational e-resources including textbooks, audio, video, periodicals and a variety of other print and non-print materials. So far, 3,027 audios and videos, 650 e-books (e-pubs) and 504 flip books have been made available on the portal and mobile app.
- National Repository of Open Educational Resources (NROER) – The National Repository of Open Educational Resources (NROER) is an initiative to bring together all digital and digitisable resources across all stages of school education and teacher education. So far, 10,885 resources including 246 collections, 503 documents, 92 interactives, 1556 audios, 2582 images and 5925 videos have been made available over the portal.
- SWAYAM:- A Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) platform popularly known as SWAYAM (Study Webs of Active learning for Young Aspiring Minds) has been launched. The portal is offering various online courses for school education and higher education. NCERT has started development of course modules for Massive Open and Online Course (MOOCs) for school education system in 12 subject areas (Accountancy, business studies, biology, chemistry, economic, history, geography, mathematics, physics, political science, psychology and sociology) for classes IX-XII. NIOS has developed 11 courses at secondary and senior secondary level on the portal.
- SWAYAM PRABHA:- A programme for utilization of satellite communication technologies for transmission of educational e-contents through 32 National Channels i.e. SWAYAM PRABHA DTH-TV has been launched. CIET-NCERT has started feeding one 24X7 educational DTH TV channel for school education i.e. Kishore Manch (#32). NIOS has started feeding two channels related to school education on 24×7 basis. Everyday four hours fresh slot is being telecast and repeated five times in 24 hours to provide learning opportunities for the stake holders.
- CBSE initiatives:- A Decision Support System called “Saransh” allows schools to identify areas of improvement in students, teachers and curriculum and take necessary measures to implement change. It is currently available for Standards IX – XII and provides a comprehensive overview of Standard X performance since 2007 and Standard XII performance since 2009, till the current academic session.
- KVS initiatives:- ICT Skills are imparted in all the Kendriya Vidyalayas to the students of classes III to XII. 9711 e-classrooms have been established in Kendriya Vidyalayas throughout the country for facilitating effective learning through digital mode. Further, a pilot project e-Prajna has been started for providing tablets pre-loaded with e-content in Maths and Science to nearly 5000 students of class VIII and their teachers in 25 KVs across the country for digital learning.