With a core objective to improve better learning outcome, enrolment of students, retention rate and reduce dropouts, Samagra Siksha Nagaland (SSN) initiated a pilot project by providing tablets to students in aspirational district Kiphire through the ministry of human resource development, Government of India.
Advisor school education and SCERT K.T Sukhalu virtually launched tablets which would be distributed to government school students Classes X-XII in Kiphire, Thursday.
Speaking at the launching programme, Sukhalu admitted the last one year had been a challenge for students and teachers because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. He said that although there were success stories, a lot of issues still needed to be addressed.
He said that the pandemic has disrupted the educational system where it was compelled to conduct classes online however, he said connectivity has become challenging not only in Kiphire but in many pockets in the state. In this regard, he said that the tablets would definitely help the students as they did not require any internet connection and were preloaded with all the required study materials.
He also urged the teachers to ensure that students are not deprived of education and to go extra miles if needed, stating that the effort of the teachers will not go in vain.
In his brief address, director MHRD GoI, P.P Gupta was confident that the tablets would help students during the pandemic.
Deputy mission director SSN Kelhika Kenye said the ministry had approved 1153 tablets with pre-loaded learning contents where the learning materials were examined and approved by the subject expert of NBSE.
He said the contents included video lessons as per NBSE text book of five core subjects for every classes such as math, science, social science, English and alternative English for Classes VIII-X and history, political science, English, education and sociology for Classes XI and XII where students could easily access without sim card or internet.
Kenye said the tablet would be provided to all the students’ of VIII-XII enrolled in government schools during 2021-22 in Kiphire aspirational district adding that the tablets would be distributed in two phase, first for class VIII-X numbering to about 1097 and for Classes XI-XII, it would be provided in few weeks’ time as per enrolment of 2021-22.
He informed that prior to the distribution of the tablet, subject teachers would be oriented through virtual mode with the support of Bright Tutee officials, New Delhi on features of tablet and detailed preloaded learning contents in the tablet who will guide the students on use of tablets.
Further outcome of evaluation on the use of tablet will be conducted in the later part of the academic session 2021-22.
The programme was chaired by state mission director Samagra Siksha Nagaland Temsunaro Aier.
It may be mentioned that Kiphire district has student enrolment from Classes VIII-X of 1097 students in government high school and 88 students in Class XII.
Samagra Sikhsha will work on expansion of providing tablets if the outcome of the tablet was proved fruitful.
Principal director SE Shanavas C, special secretary SE and SCERT Kevileno Angami, NBSE chairman Asano Sekhose, director SE Wonthungo Tsopoe, State coordinator MHRD in charge of Nagaland Suresh Balodi, DEO Kiphire, administrative officers Kiphire, officials from planning and coordination, school heads of Kiphire, SCERT officials and Samagra Sikhsa Nagaland officials attended the virtual launching programme.
Altogether, 1,097 tablets are ready to be dispatched at the earliest. The tablets do not require any internet connectivity as they are preloaded with all the required study materials in accordance with the syllabus with topic wise video lectures, MCQs, explanations and solved question and answers.