All the 38 high schools and 32 higher secondary schools run by the Chennai Corporation will have Smart Classrooms to enable students make optimum use of cutting edge technology.
Announcing 29 schemes for the development of education as part of the Chennai Corporation Budget 2012-2013 on Monday, Mayor Saidai S. Duraisamy said the technology would supplement existing methodologies and facilitate learning.
Vision
The Mayor said the civic body would formulate school-wise development plan for 32 higher secondary schools, 38 high schools, 92 middle schools and 122 elementary schools a five year period. “A vision for each school is necessary to ensure the wholesome development of each child,” he said.
The last budget had 133 announcements but the 44 of them did not take off, said Mr. Duraisamy. Most of the announcements that did not take off last year relate to education.
This year, a special foundation course for students interested in competitive exams including civil services examination would be conducted for students of higher secondary level. “It will be optional for students and will be restricted to those interested,” said Mr. Duraisamy. A career guidance centre would be set up in all high schools and higher secondary schools with adequate journals, magazines and books.
Special ‘Spoken English' classes would also be conducted for high and higher secondary school students. Libraries in all high and higher secondary schools will be renovated and well-stocked with books.
All the Chennai Schools would have centralised public address system for communication of the head of the school with children at any time of the day on matters of importance. The schools would have reverse osmosis system to meet the drinking water needs.
As many as 30 schools will get music rooms with both Western and Indian musical instruments. Qualified part-time music teachers would be brought in to assist. The civic body has also planned to commence school level and inter-school level music competition to bring out talent and encourage children to practise and excel in music.
The Corporation has proposed public-private partnership to develop all aspects of the Chennai Schools. Besides, NCC wings would be expanded to 30 schools. At present, only two Chennai Schools have NCC wings. As play materials are found to be insufficient in many schools, sufficient material would be provided to all schools. The requirement will be reviewed once in three months.
Play corner
A children's play corner would be established in 100 schools and sports hostel for girls will be located in Nungambakkam. Chennai Corporation Sprints Academy, Jumps Academy and Middle Distance Academy would be formed for three specific disciplines. All the higher secondary schools would have closed-circuit TV to monitor overall security.
A total of 30 English medium schools would be launched in 2012-2013. All Corporation School students would be given a personalised new health card. A complete medical check up will be carried out and follow-up treatment given wherever necessary. The schools would also have 64 additional classrooms this year.
