Sengottaiyan: 7,000 govt schools to be computerised by July

Inaugurating a smart classroom set up at a cost of Rs 28 lakh at Karapadi Government Higher Secondary School near Punjaipuliampatty in Erode district, the Minister said that classrooms would be computerised in 7000 schools by the end of next month.

On the closure of schools with low strength of students, Sengottaiyan said that the enrollment was poor in 2,142 schools, where there were reportedly just two teachers for classes one to eight. “A decision on such schools will be taken after consultations with educationists and ministers led by the Chief Minister,” he said.

To a query on closure of four government schools in The Nilgiris, the Minister denied it and said that requests have come to close schools, which have two or three students. “However, the government is studying the possibilities of how to run such schools,” he said.

Further, he also said that 5000 students were given free NEET training in 412 centres across the State.

“A student had to spend up to Rs two lakh to undergo NEET training, while various efforts were being made to prepare students to face various competitive exams conducted by the central government,” he said.

Sengottaiyan also took pride for revamping the syllabus in a short duration. “While the Centre takes two years to revise the CBSE syllabus, the State government has done it in eight months. This will help the students to easily get through competitive exams,” he said.

The Minister also said that smart cards would be issued to all students from this academic year. He was accompanied by Chief Education Officer Siva Kumar, former MP Kaliappan and others in the function.