The State government has revised the annexure of guidelines for procurement and deployment of IT equipment for schools and offices under the General Education department. The revision is applicable to all hardware purchases using government funds, MP/MLA/local self-government institution funds and so on.
The government order specifies the maximum price, minimum specification and after-sales service conditions for deploying IT equipment. Equipment such as laptop, projector, screen, USB speaker and projector mounting kit are included in the order that retains the 15-point guidelines issued earlier in 2019, with amendments only to the annexure.
The new guidelines reiterate that laptops should be deployed in schools considering their portability, power back-up and minimal power consumption features. The distributors have to demonstrate the working of the equipment in front of the head teacher and IT coordinator at the time of delivery. Details such as installation date, warranty period, contact details of firm/personnel providing service have to be displayed on all equipment. Schools should also display the list of equipment received under each scheme, year, and source of funds.
Firms deploying the equipment should ensure the availability of call centre number and web portal address for registering complaints. The complaints have to be attended within two days and closed within five working days, or else, a penalty of ₹100 a day will be imposed on the supplier.
Prior approval of the State Council of Education Research and Training and KITE (Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education) is mandatory for deploying any digital content or digital libraries in schools. Software or applications that are of proprietary nature and have licence restrictions should not be deployed under any circumstance.
Equipment can be purchased through Keltron, the rate contract agency identified by the government. Some equipment can also be procured through the centralised procurement and rate contract system of the IT department.
Schools have to adhere to the cyber safety protocol published earlier. In case of e-governance applications that are not approved by the General Education department and any specific IT activities, special permission of the department has to be obtained.
The government has directed KITE to undertake specific IT infrastructure audit in all schools and institutions under the department and report the status, K. Anvar Sadath, CEO, KITE, said in a statement.
