WB Govt to give Tablets to Students: As per the latest update, Mamata Banerjee led West Bengal Government is planning to give out tablet devices to over 9.5 lakh students in the state who are due to appear for the Higher Secondary examination next year. The decision from WB Govt comes as part of its initiative to bridge the digital divide and provide equal opportunity to all students to attend online classes. In addition to this, the state government has also announced that all secondary schools in the state will be given a free computer using which they can conduct online classes for the students.
Decision Announced by CM Mamata Banerjee
The West Bengal Govt’s decision to provide students of Higher Secondary schools with tablet devices was announced by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Interacting with Govt Employee’s Federation at Nabanna on Thrusday, Ms Banerjee said that “There are around 14,000 government and government-aided schools and 636 madrasas where approximately 9.5 lakh students will sit for the higher secondary examination this year. Since there is no on-campus class now, most of these students, who don’t have access to a smartphone or a computer, are missing out. The government has thus decided to give these students tabs. They can use this during their higher studies also.”
Decision Aimed at Bridging the Digital Divide
With the pandemic still raging across the country, on-campus classes where students were visiting schools and marking their physical presence have become impossible to hold. In such scenario, online classes and learning have become the norm for all the students. However, due to lack of resources, many students who hail from underprivileged backgrounds have failed to participate in online classes. The latest decision of the state government will facilitate availability of digital resources to the students and level the playing field for them.
