Govt. schools to get ICT labs, students high-end laptops
Education Minister Ashish Sood said on Tuesday that the Delhi government will set up Information and Communication Technology (ICT) labs in 175 government schools and distribute free high-end laptops to 1,200 meritorious students who passed the Class 10 examination.
The initiative is part of the Mukhya Mantri Digital Education Scheme and aims to equip students with digital tools aligned with evolving technology, he said at a press conference.
The laptops, equipped with i7 processors, will be provided to academically outstanding students at a total cost of ₹8 crore. 'This will enable them to pursue their aspirations in the digital age without technological barriers,' Mr. Sood said, adding that the scheme aligns with the National Education Policy 2020.
The Minister said each ICT lab will follow the CBSE parameters and be equipped with 40 computers. The government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a private organisation to establish 100 ICT labs in as many government schools under its Corporate Social Responsibility, he said.
Political blame game
Hitting out at the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, Mr. Sood claimed that not a single government school in Delhi currently has a functional computer lab, despite AAP's repeated claims of having transformed education in the Capital. 'Out of 1,074 government schools, not even one has a working computer lab. I invite the media to verify this on the ground,' he said.
AAP dismissed Mr. Sood's claims. 'He has developed a habit of ranting about the previous government. If he believes there's any merit in his claims, he should order an inquiry or refer the matter to the ACB (Anti Corruption Branch)for probe,' it said.
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