Gujarat government today awarded Rs. 110 crore contract to HCL Infosystems to take Information Technology (IT) to around 7,000 schools in the state. As part of the contract, the IT major will supply PCs with biometric finger print scanner and UPS to over 6,000 schools under education department and 1,000 schools under tribal department.
HCL would implement the biometric based attendance system, offer facility management and run teacher training programs to supply and implement robust education software effectively at the schools. "HCL has been chosen to implement this project under a transparent model based on public private partnership (PPP)," the company said in a release.
HCL Infosystems will collaborate with the tribal and education departments of Gujarat to facilitate capturing of online attendance data for both students and teachers in schools. Under the existing programmes, schools in tribal areas get government grants based on the attendence of the students.
This system will enable generation of real time data and effective utilization of grants for a transparent education system at all levels in the state. The system will also help the government to study education patterns and dropout rates across regions.
As far as the schools in tribal areas are concerned, the implementation process would initially take place in two districts out of eight notified tribal districts, comprising of 150 schools each. Once carried out for 2 months, it will then be extended to all remaining schools.
HCL will also setup helpdesk at each district and a project management unit at Gandhinagar, for effective delivery. Beside this, HCL would also be deploying its specialist workforce of engineers in each school, responsible for periodical visits for on ground system support.
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"The programme strongly underlines the need to focus on launching result oriented initiatives, involving local people for the benefit of the tribes and forging strong convergence with various departments of the government responsible for implementation.
The project will focus on Ashram Shal, Adrashnovasi Shala, Eklavaya, primary and upper primary schools," the release added.