Aryan N., a class 7 student at the Government Model Primary School (GMPS), Kengeri, enjoys sitting in his classroom and learning mathematics and science. He doesn’t rely only on his textbook, but absorbs information from digital and visual teaching aid.
“We learn science and mathematics through videos and diagrams so it becomes very easy,” he said. Aryan is learning in a smart classroom.
His school is one of the 1,000 government and aided schools across the State that have smart classrooms powered by solar energy. This initiative — eShala programme — was launched in July 2014 by Menda Foundation, SELCO Foundation and Children’s Lovecastles Trust with the intention of improving the quality of classroom education. The digital educational content and digital tools are dependent on solar power.
Ravikanth Rao, Chief Manager at SELCO Solar Light Pvt. Ltd. — whose CSR arm is SELCO Foundation — said that solar panels are placed on the rooftop of schools, which then have power back-up for three days. “It is extremely useful for schools where there is erratic electricity supply,” he said. Content for the smart classrooms is inbuilt and designed based on the State syllabus textbook, and is available in both English and Kannada. It focuses on lessons in science, maths and English grammar — subjects that most students struggle with.
The cost of installation in each school, said Mr. Rao, was ₹90,000. Of this, 50% of the cost is borne by Menda Foundation and the remaining raised by the local community or other NGOs. SELCO Foundation provides technology and raw material. According to teachers, the initiative has changed the nature of classroom interaction with greater participation from students.
Siddalingaiah, assistant teacher at GMPS Kengeri, said this facility was installed in 2016 in their school. Since then, he has seen an increase in student enrolment.
“The smart classroom has helped tap into the curiosity of our students. With this, as teachers, we do not need any additional aid or prop to teach them. It helps students visualise concepts,” he said.
