TEAM HERALD

teamherald@herald-goa.com

PANJIM: The state government will provide notepad computers to students of standard V and VI from July, while all schools would get wi-fi connections by December 2013, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar announced on Friday.

Parrikar said that 46,207 applications have been received by State Education department from various schools to avail benefits under this scheme.

He said that around 50,000 e-note pads would be supplied to schools, including those run by private institutions.

“Government would tender the purchase of bulk e-note pads by the end of this month. The students will get their own e-note pads in their hand by July,” Parrikar, who hold the Education portfolio, said.

Parrikar had allocated Rs 95 crore in the last budget-2012-13 for purchase of computers. As reported earlier, these notepads are be made available at the cost of Rs 25 for students with an undertaking from parents.

Each of the e-notepads would approximately cost Rs 8,500-10,000 for the government as they would be procured in bulk, Parrikar said, adding the quality of e-notepads would be verified so that they can be used for next three years, at least.

“All the computers will have special e-learning packages. After a day in class, the students will now be able to revise their tuitions at home over the tablets,” he said adding that the gadget would be pre-loaded with the syllabus and would be upgraded at regular intervals.

Parrikar said that all schools would go wi-fi by December, so that the student can access net on the e-note pad, while in class.

The Education Minister said that there are plans to provide overhead projectors in few of the schools so that the students can be taught in more interactive method.

“The basic aim of the government is to provide quality and high-tech education,” he said.