The Times of India                08.10.2013

AMC to set up computer labs in three civic schools

AURANGABAD: The Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) will soon set up computer laboratories in its three schools at Paithan Gate, Harsul and Naregaon under the ambitious Maharashtra Prathamik Sikhshan Parishad project. The labs will be set up at a cost of Rs 2.26 lakh each for imparting IT education to the students.

Besides, the AMC is also planning to set up similar labs at its schools in Shahabazar and Kiradpur in the second phase.

A M Shaikh, education officer in the AMC, said on Monday that the independent labs will be equipped with five computers, five uninterrupted power supply (UPS) systems, one printer and five speakers. "Besides, we are also planning to provide internet facility to these schools," he said.

Shaikh said that the AMC had recently invited tenders for setting up the labs and the process would be completed in the next 25-30 days. "The labs will give students in the AMC-run schools an opportunity to learn basics of information technology. The facility would be provided free of cost and will also be available for students of nearby municipal body schools," he said.

Besides, the education department of the civic body will start conducting surprise visits at its 78 schools from Tuesday. "We have formed three special teams to inspect and review the performance of the schools. This month, the teams will visit 20 schools, while the inspection of remaining schools will be held later," Shaikh said.

He said the teams comprising one centre head and two subject experts each would visit the schools and review the standard of education.

The reports of the inspecting teams will be placed before a co-ordination committee of the education department, which will take immediate steps to address the issues raised in the reports.

Shaikh also said that the civic body would complete its task of providing school uniforms to all the students within 20-25 days. "Earlier, we provided uniforms to 12,000 students belonging to scheduled caste, scheduled tribe and other economically backwards classes. The remaining 9,000 students will get the uniforms soon," he added.