New Delhi
As many as 36 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) have been selected for digital transformation in the first phase of the Centre’s new initiative.
“Digital Transformation of EMRSs can play a key role in improving the learning experience for both students and teachers, where focus shall be on integration of digital technologies to improve teaching and learning. Access to technology can lead the way forward for access to knowledge,” said Asit Gopal, Commissioner, National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS), an autonomous organization established under the Union Tribal Affairs Ministry.
He was speaking at an online workshop organized for EMRS principals and school heads on “Education Transformation Framework” (ETF, in collaboration with Microsoft Corporation India Private Limited recently.
The workshop on EMRs digitization was the first in its journey of transformation. The other components include professional development of teachers using Microsoft Technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications; building exposure of students to AI and Coding; sharing of Coding Curriculum for Grade 6th to 12th & AI curriculum for Grade 8th to 12th; and workshop on Microsoft Certified Educator (MCE) program among others.
Emphasizing on the imperative need for digital transformation in EMRSs, Gopal said that such change keeping in with changing times can play a key role in improving the learning experience for both students and teachers, where focus shall be on integration of digital technologies to improve teaching and learning.
Gopal asserted that in the first phase, 36 EMRSs have been selected which shall walk their way forward to digitally transform schools and enhance the technological skills by use of Microsoft software and application.
The Ministry had on May 17 last year inked a pact with Microsoft to help tribal schools such as EMRS and Ashram Schools have digital transformation. As per the MoU, Microsoft is preparing bi-lingual AI curriculum for tribal students in English and Hindi languages that will be taught at all EMRS schools to upskill both the educators and students in next-gen technologies, a Ministry official said.
As part of the MoU, the teachers will also be trained in using productivity technologies like Office 365 and AI applications in teaching in a phased manner, where they can even earn certificates from Microsoft Education Centre. Microsoft will also mentor students from EMRS on Ai projects to help pursue the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Tribal Affairs Ministry plans to enroll 3.5 lakh students and recruit 36,000 teachers in its 740 EMRs for tribal students schools targeted to be functional by 2026 across the country.
Presently, as of November, a total of 688 EMRSs have been sanctioned, of which 392 are functional where around 1,05,463 students are enrolled.
