Lok Sabha Question No. 93 (STARRED), answered on 2024-07-29
Subject: Operation Digital Board  under Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri P V Midhun Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION AND LITERACY

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 93 ANSWERED ON 29.07.2024

## Operation Digital Board under Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan

*93 Shri P V Midhun Reddy:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) an overview of the digital initiatives, particularly 'Operation Digital Board' that have been implemented under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan to enhance the learning experience in schools; and
- (b) whether digital initiatives, especially 'Operation Digital Board' contribute to the creation of  technology-enabled  learning  environment  in  schools  and  if  so,  its  impact  on  the overall educational experiences of the students?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF EDUCATION (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

- (a) & (b) A Statement is laid on the table of the House.

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## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) AND (b) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 93 FOR 29.07.2024 ASKED BY HON'BLE MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT SHRI P V MIDHUN REDDY REGARDING OPERATION DIGITAL BOARD UNDER SAMAGRA SHIKSHA ABHIYAN

(a) & (b): Operation Digital Board (ODB) was launched on 20 th February, 2019 to leverage technology  in  order  to  boost  quality  education  in  the  country.  The  digital  boards  were introduced  in  schools  from  class  9 th onwards  with  the  aim  to  convert  a  class  room  into  a digital class room and for availability of e-resources at any time and at any place to students. The  ODB  as  Smart  Classroom  element  was  added  under  Information  &  Communication Technology (ICT) Component of 'Samagra Shiksha' Scheme, which is a centrally sponsored Integrated Scheme for School Education, effective from 2018-19. ODB is now a part of ICT component  of  Samagra  Shiksha.  The  initiative  of  ICT  and  Smart  Classrooms  in  School Education  has  tremendous  potential  for  enhancing  outreach  and  improving  quality  of education.  ICT  and  Digital  Initiatives  component  of  Samagra  Shiksha  covers  Government and Aided Schools having classes VI to XII.

Under  ICT  and  Smart  Classroom  component  financial  assistance  is  provided  for establishing  Smart  Classrooms  using  digital  boards  and  ICT  labs  in  schools.  The  nonrecurring/recurring grant under 'ICT and Digital Initiatives' is available to the States and UTs as following two options:

- (i) Option  I: Under  this  option  schools  which  have  not  availed  the  ICT  facility earlier  can  either  opt  for  ICT  or  smart  classrooms  as  per  their  requirement  and need.  In  case  of  more  than  700  enrolment,  an  additional  ICT  lab  can  also  be considered.  States/UTs  have  flexibility  to  procure  hardware  such  as  tablets/ laptops/notebooks/ integrated teaching learning devices and open source operating system as well as Hardware, Software, training and resource support. This would include support for digital boards, smart classrooms, virtual classrooms and DTH channels on pro-rata basis for number of schools approved.
- (ii) Option II : Under this option schools which have already availed the ICT facility earlier can avail smart classrooms/tablets as per the norms of the scheme.

## Financial Provisions:

- ICT Lab: a non-recurring grant of up to Rs. 6.40 lakh per school and recurring grant of upto Rs. 2.40 lakh per school per annum for a period of 5 years. From 2023-24, the scheme also offers step-wise funding based on school enrolment. (Strength < 100 : Rs.

2.5 Lakhs, Strength between 100 - 250 : Rs. 4.5 Lakhs, Strength between 250 - 700 : Rs. 6.4 Lakhs)

- Smart  Classrooms: The  non-recurring grant for  Smart Class rooms  (2 smart classrooms  per  school)  is  of  Rs.  2.40  lakh  and  the  recurring  grant  is  Rs.  38,000/(including E Content and Digital Resources, Charges for Electricity).

As  on  19 th July,  2024,  total  1,39,181  ICT  Labs  and  1,26,881  Smart  classrooms  are sanctioned to States/UTs.

As  per  the  National  Education  Policy  (NEP)-  2020,  the  thrust  of  technological interventions  are  to  improve  teaching-learning  and  evaluation  processes,  remove  language barriers,  support  teacher  preparation  and  professional  development,  enhance  educational access for Divyang and to streamline educational planning, management, and administration including processes related to admissions, attendance, assessments, etc.  (NEP  2020, Technology Use and Integration).

To  achieve  the  objectives  of  NEP  2020,  a  comprehensive  initiative  called  PM  eVIDYA  is  in  place  which  unifies  all  efforts  related  to  digital/online/on-air  education  to enable multi-mode access to education, with a target to benefit nearly 25 crore school going children across the country. The key components of this initiative are DIKSHA - the nation's digital  infrastructure,  200  PM  e-VIDYA  DTH  TV  Channels  to  provide  supplementary education in various Indian languages for classes 1-12, ePathshala initiative to disseminate Digital Books and eContents, eJaadui Pitara is a digital app to supplement and a complement to the physical Jaadui Pitara, a vertical on Virtual Labs created on DIKSHA platform where 280 Virtual Labs for Science and Mathematics for subjects Class 6 th to 12 th  have been made available.

The above digital initiatives of Department of School Education & Literacy especially 'ICT  and  Smart  Classroom  component'  provide  basic  infrastructure  to  the  students  and transform  the  classroom  into  tech-driven  class.  The  students  increase  engagement  with multimedia content and interactive activities, while availing wider range of resources. This fosters deeper understanding, collaboration, and digital literacy for students, enriching their overall educational experience.