Hyderabad: The Telangana government had launched its digital classrooms programme in 3,352 high schools in the state, exactly a year ago. However the much hyped programme proved an utter failure as most of the schools were found without computers and teachers. Under the programme, students would get to watch teaching of various subjects via Mana TV, an educational channel started by the Government. The project seems to have failed to make a mark on government schools in the Old city as according to the teachers in government schools in Old City most programmes on the channel are in Telugu while the schools follow the Urdu-medium.
The New Indian Express reported that out of several government schools visited, Government High School, Vatepally with a strength of about 600 students had the single computer that too not maintained. Out of 22 government schools in Bahadurpura, only a handful had computers. Government Girls’ High School in Moghulpura was found without a single computer and is functioning without a headmaster. Government school in Talabkatta too had similar situation.
A government school teacher on the condition of anonymity said, “For the children of government schools in Telangana, the digital classroom programme is only ornamental.” She disclosed that no training was provided to the teachers about computer education, except for two days of formal training.
The government schools in old city also lack resources and infrastructure. A school for minorities in Old City — Government Primary School, Bhavani Nagar 1 was found teaching kids from Class 1 to 5 in just three classrooms. Students sit on unclean floors in the classrooms while some were found seated in the space in front of the toilets. Two classes were accommodated in one room. The students were not even wearing uniform. Shockingly class 1 to 5 were accommodated in single classroom in a primary government school in Aman Nagar.
Old City schools sans computers & teachers; Digital classrooms a farce
