40K computers to be procured for digital push in govt schools

After over two decades, students in government schools across the state will have access to latest computer labs.

After seven years, the Punjab Education Department has initiated the process to procure nearly 40,000 14th-generation computers to equip the students with the latest computer programming. Nearly Rs 400 crore, under the Samaghra Shiksha programme, has been earmarked for the purpose.

“Since 2021, the tendering process to procure the computers had been lingering due to one or the other administrative reason. The funds were there, but the outdated computers could not be procured. We are also buying the latest LCD interactive screens,” said a senior government functionary.

Education Minister Harjor Bains said the latest computers would help students on the digital literacy front in a big way.

Most of the computer labs in nearly 6,000 middle, high and senior secondary schools had not been upgraded since 2005, resulting in crumbling infrastructure and hindering the digital learning experience. Computer teachers in different districts said most of the computers were malfunctioning or non-operational and many a time they had to spend from their pockets to repair the machines.

Officials in the Department of Director General of Schools Education (DGSE) said in the first phase, near 32,00 schools would be equipped with latest computers. Along with new computers, the curriculum of computer education was also being revised.

Launched in 2005, the Punjab Information and Communication Technology Education Society (PICTES) initiative led to the recruitment of over 7,000 computer teachers to promote digital literacy. Currently, 6,200 teachers are employed in 2,670 middle, 1,740 high, and 1,972 senior secondary schools in Punjab.

Parminder Singh, state member of the Computer Adhyapak Sangarsh Committee, said teachers had to take computer classes with available resources in multiple schools. To cope with the shortage of teaching faculty and limited infrastructure, the department had increased the minimum weekly period criteria from 20 to 36 periods. Despite repeated assurances, the government had not granted computer teachers the benefits of the Sixth Pay Commission and implemented Civil Service Rules”.

At least three to four computer teachers in every district are on deputation with the Deputy Commissioner office concerned. Some of the teachers are attached with the district education offices.