The Ministry of Education’s Department of School Education and Literacy declared that all operable Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs) and dormitories will receive Information and Communication Technology (ICT) labs and smart classrooms in accordance with Samagra Shiksha guidelines.
According to the official press release, this effort seeks to empower female students, improve their digital literacy, and improve learning results. The scheme, expected to cost Rs 290 crore, will help around 7 lakh females studying in KGBVs.
Emphasis on girls’ education and digital literacy.
KGBVs are residential schools that provide high-quality education to females from disadvantaged backgrounds, such as scheduled castes (SC), scheduled tribes (ST), other backward classes (OBC), minorities, and those living below the poverty line.
KGBVs are formed in educationally underserved areas to give girls with access to quality education and to decrease gender gaps at all stages of schooling. Currently, there are 5,116 KGBVs functioning across 30 states and union territories in the country.
According to the official press release, the implementation of ICT labs and smart classrooms is critical for KGVB students, who frequently encounter barriers to study owing to distance, cultural norms, and safety concerns. Digital literacy is vital for personal and professional development, as well as bridging the digital gap.
Accessibility to Educational Resources
The upgraded ICT facilities will give KGBV students better access to numerous digital resources provided by the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL). These include the National Digital Library, e-Pathshala, and DIKSHA. This improved access to educational resources is predicted to have a major impact on these girls’ academic performance.
“In this era of rapid development and integration of ICT into our lives and livelihoods, it is critical that students from all walks of life have the opportunity to equip themselves with cutting-edge technology. The official press release stated that ICT is integrated into the school curriculum to guarantee that pupils, particularly those from disadvantaged groups, receive appropriate experiential exposure.