Sundargarh: Virtual education to students has taken a major leap in Odisha’s Sundargah district with as many as 287 schools coming under the project.
Under the virtual classroom project that was introduced in the district in 2019, total 70 schools were linked to VSAT satellite system. While the number of schools has gone up to 287, the classes conducted have grown to 572. As a result, over 40,000 students from Upper Primary to Secondary schools have been covered under the virtual learning programme.
In physical classroom learning, a teacher can teach maximum 30 students as per the mandated pupil to teacher ratio. But under the virtual learning, a trained teacher can teach 5000-10000 students at one go.
For the management of the virtual classroom project, an exclusive state of the art studio has been set up in Sundargarh. Using V-SAT (very small aperture terminal) satellite communication system, the studio has been connected to smart classrooms in schools.
“Virtual classes have added a new dimension to school education in Sundargarh. The use of technology has helped in making the school learning extensive, whereby govt school students residing in both urban and rural areas are benefiting hugely. This novel learning medium has strengthened education system in the district,” said District Education Officer Amulya Kumar Padhan.
Principal of Bargaon Govt High School Sunita Lakra said, “In virtual classes, lessons on subjects like science, mathematics and geography are explained through PPT (power point) presentations. This makes learning friendly.”
Government-run schools, Odisha Adarsh Vidyalayas, Eklavya Model Residential Schools and Kasturba Gandhi Girls schools have also been covered under the virtual classroom project in the district.
Currently, virtual classes are being held for five days a week from Monday to Friday. As per the schedule, while two classes are being taken everyday for students in Classes IX and X, 2 classes are held for Classes VI-VIII every alternate day.
Under the state government’s 5T initiative, a large number of high schools have undergone a transformation. Smart digital boards have been introduced to impart learning in schools. This has helped in operating virtual classrooms.
Under the High School Transformation programme, a number of advanced science laboratories and all modern facilities have been set up in Sundargarh district.
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