Lok Sabha Question No. 230 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-22
Subject: Internet Connectivity in Schools in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri C N Annadurai

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 230

ANSWERED ON 22 nd  JULY, 2024

## INTERNET CONNECTIVITY IN SCHOOLS IN TAMIL NADU

## 230 SHRI C N ANNADURAI:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  any  plan  to  provide  internet  connectivity  to  all schools in the State of Tamil Nadu;
- (b) the details of schools in the State of Tamil Nadu with internet connections and computer labs equipped with adequate seating capacity;
- (c)  whether there is any scheme to improve access of internet in Schools of Tamil Nadu;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e)  the  details  of  funds  allocated  during  each  of  the  last  five  years  to  Tamil  Nadu State for this purpose?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)

(a) & (b): Education is in the Concurrent list of the Constitution and majority of the schools are under the administrative  control  of  respective  State  Governments  and UT Administrations. An advisory has been issued by the Dept. of School Education and Literacy, Government of India to all the States and UTs including Tamil Nadu to enter into an MoU / Agreement with BSNL and provide FTTH Internet connection to all the Government Schools which have computing devices. States / UTs have been advised that the Internet Charges can be met from the following:

- For  ICT  Labs  /  Smart  Class  rooms  sanctioned  under  Samagra  Shiksha, internet charges can be met from the recurring charges being released under Samagra Shiksha
- For  Schools  in  which  ICT  /  Smart  Class  room  are  not  sanctioned  under Samagra Shiksha and which have computing devices, internet Charges can be  met  from  the  Management  Monitoring,  Media,  Evaluation  and  Research (MMMER) funds being released under Samagra Shiksha or can be met from any other State/UT Govt. funds.

Furthermore, out of the 58,801 schools in the state of Tamil Nadu, 22,086 schools have  internet  access,  and  46,092  schools  are  equipped  with  computer  facilities. (Source: UDISE 2021-22)

(c)  &  (d):  Under  ICT  component  of  Samagra  Shiksha,  the  Government  aims  to provide computer-aided learning and internet connectivity to enhance the quality of education across the country including Tamil Nadu. There is a provision to integrate ICT into the teaching-learning process through the following facilities:

- Provision of Hardware and Software: Schools are equipped with computers, projectors, interactive whiteboards, and other digital tools.
- Internet Connectivity: Broadband connections are provided to enable internet access.
- Digital  Classrooms:  Setting  up  smart  classrooms  to  facilitate  interactive learning.
- Capacity Building:  Training  for  teachers  and  students  to  effectively  use  ICT tools and digital content.

(e):  The  details  of  funds  allocated  under  the  ICT  component  of  Samagra  Shiksha during the last five years to State of Tamil Nadu are as follows:

| Year              |   2020-21 |   2021-22 |   2022-23 |   2023-24 |   2024-25 |
|-------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| ICT (Rs. In lakh) |    2822.4 |   12071.6 |   14150.4 |   10114.6 |    6547.5 |

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