Efforts to identify smart schools for ICT scheme

Updated on: Friday, December 11, 2009

New Delhi: Efforts are on to identify smart schools under the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) scheme to bridge the digital divide in government and private schools, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.

Much depends on whether the economy will grow at the rate of nine per cent. There is already an allocation of Rs 6,000 crore for the ICT scheme (under 11th Plan) and we are trying our best to cover schools though the digital divide has grown," HRD Minister Kapil Sibal said.

Sibal said during Question Hour that though his ministry is trying to identify smart schools, it is taking time due to lack of infrastructure, like non-availability of electricity in many villages.

"During the 11th Plan we expect to cover government and aided schools," he said. Sibal said a large number of government and government- aided schools are being given infrastructure for supporting ICT on BOOT (build own operate transfer) basis.

He said ICT scheme, which started in December 2004, aims to promote usage of ICT in government and aided schools. "Whenever funds will be there, we will take this scheme to private schools," the minister said. He also said the government is also planning to start 6,000 model schools in all districts. Out of these, 3,500 schools would be set up by government, while 2,500 would be set up through public private partnership mode.

Efforts to identify smart schools for ICT scheme

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