Only Rs 11,000 for buying high-end TVs for schools!
Tribune News Service
Patiala, March 16
While the Patiala Education Department has directed school heads to purchase full high definition (HD) 43-inch LED TVs, it has released a meagre amount for making the purchase.
The school heads have been asked to consider features such as smart TV, screen mirroring, web OS/Android operating system and WiFi before they buy TVs for schools making. However, the departments has released just Rs11,000 as an aid.
The department, while releasing the said amount of money, has stated in its circular that one has to buy a whole system of stipulated specifications within that amount.
Interestingly, the department also said that there would not be any compromise on the specifications and, if needed, the teachers would chip in money on their own. Teachers’ unions, decrying the amount of money already released by the department, said how one could purchase the stipulated items in Rs11,000?
Government schoolteachers’ union, Democratic Teachers Front (DTF), fuming over the order, said the department was putting financial burden on the teachers as it was impossible to purchase LEDs with the required specifications in Rs11,000.
Virkam Dev, state president, DTF, said the department should have purchased LEDs themselves and given them to the school heads. “The department also knew that LEDs with stated specifications cannot be purchased with Rs11,000, therefore, they have put the onus on teachers.”
The department has asked 375 schools in Patiala to purchase the LEDs and install them on the school premises.
Attinder Ghagga, member, DTF, said: “Nowhere in the market an LED with these specifications is available at such a cheap price. The cost of a good LED TV ranges between Rs37,000 and Rs42,000. The department is putting financial burden on the school heads.”
