PMC panel approves proposal for e-learning facility, says work will start after SCERT’s nod

MINUTES AFTER the Standing Committee of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) approved the civic administration’s proposal about starting an e-learning facility in 317 civic schools, the civic panel chief declared that the agency would be given the work order only after the proposal is approved by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT).

Murlidhar Mohol, chairperson of the Standing Committee, said, “The committee approved the civic administration’s proposal for setting up an e-learning facility in 317 schools as it would benefit the students. An expenditure of Rs 21 crore has been approved for the work, which includes setting up necessary infrastructure for the project.”

On whether the agency has got the necessary approval for digital content to be used in e-learning, he said the civic administration has not mentioned anything about it in the proposal and approval was given only because it was in the interest of students.

“We would ensure that the agency is issued work order only if they get the necessary approval from the SCERT,” he said.

He added that the administration has applied for the approval and were awaiting a response.

Meanwhile, officials at the SCERT officials said, “The SCERT has yet not approved any of the proposals on the digital content to be used as e-learning tools in schools but there is a rampant use across the state.”

The BSNL, which had bagged the contract in the PMC, said their proposal was as per the conditions of the tender, all of which have been fulfilled.

“We have sought an approval from the SCERT of the digital content being used as a tool of e-learning in schools. The BSNL has implemented it in many other civic bodies in the state but has not faced any problems on it as the digital content is in tune with the syllabus of the SCERT,” he added.

As per the proposal approved by the PMC, the BSNL would set up a digital studio, 146 virtual classrooms and 861 digital classrooms in 317 civic schools.

The studio would be provided 8 Mbps internet connectivity, while 4 Mbps internet connectivity would be for civic schools.

Adaptive learning management system, school management system, 2D and 3D e-learning software and virtual science laboratory would be provided under the project.