Digital Libraries to be Set Up in 344 Residential Schools of Rajasthan | 27 Oct 2022

Why in News?

• Realizing the importance of digital learning on October 26, 2022, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has given financial approval of Rs 36.56 crore for setting up digital libraries in 344 residential schools of the state.

Key Points

• With this decision of the Chief Minister, digital libraries equipped with state-of-the-art facilities will be established in various residential schools, multipurpose hostels and Kasturba Gandhi Vidyalayas run under tribal regional development department, social justice and empowerment department, minority affairs, school education department etc.
• It is worth mentioning that the Chief Minister has given this approval in compliance with the announcement made during the discussion of the Finance and Appropriation Bill, 2022-23.
• The Chief Minister had announced financial provision to provide digital library and other necessary facilities for classes 9th to 12th in residential educational institutions and selected schools under various departments with a view to providing the benefit of digital learning to the students of low income group.
• Apart from this, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has approved an additional budget of Rs 13.10 crore to set up smart classrooms in 500 madrasas.
• It is noteworthy that the state government has started connecting madrasas of the state with modern technology. Now for better education in madrasas, various facilities like smart classrooms will be provided in them, here students will now get education through smart boards instead of black boards.
• Out of the madrasas registered by the Rajasthan Madarsa Board, 500 madrasas will cost Rs 2.62 lakh per Madarsa to set up smart classrooms.
• It is worth mentioning that the Chief Minister had announced in the budget year 2022-23 to provide smart classroom-like internet facility in registered madrasas in a phased manner. Under this, 500 madrasas will be upgraded in the coming year in the first phase.