Chennai: Heads of govt and aided schools across the state must submit a list of computers and other equipment in their schools and flag deficiencies by Oct 12.The headmasters must also list the monitors, UPS units and other accessories required for the labs, along with the estimated budget. They must upload the details on the state-run Education Management Information System portal. “Respective chief/district education officers must take stock of the list and coordinate with the school heads to deploy the systems. We are yet to decide on how much equipment will be given to the schools. The first step is to identify deficiencies,” an official from the chief education officer’s office said.On Oct 4, TOI reported that the govt’s flagship spoken English programme, Mozhigal, for Classes VI to X had become defunct in several schools. Schools accessed the classes through hi-tech labs, which were poorly maintained after the contract with L&T ended in May last year. Several school heads reported poor internet connectivity and a shortage of working computers, mouse devices and UPS units.Officials said the department was likely to appoint a new agency. “A few middle schools were given the contract to Keltron last year, but not all schools have been covered. Once HMs submit the list, the department will set aside a budget and improve the labs,” an official with the elementary education office said.
