A “Mini Ratna (Category-I)” central public sector enterprise (CPSE) has launched an artificial intelligence (AI)-based attendance system for government schools across Assam. 48,000 government schools in Assam will benefit from the technology, a news report informed.
In a statement, the CPSE noted that, in four months, it completed deploying an AI-based identification system for capturing attendance and management of the SDMIS (student database management information system) for government schools in Assam. The system covers 48,000 schools in all 33 districts. The organisation has configured, customised, and deployed the AI-based identification system to record attendance across all elementary, secondary, and higher secondary schools, it added.
The total project value is IN₹19.20 crores (US$2.6 million), out of which IN₹12 crores (US$1.6 million) is a one-time cost being released post completion of the project. The maintenance cost for the project is IN₹3.96 crores (US$542,626) per year, with a scope of AMC for two years in the current scope of work. Along with providing the AI-based solution to schools in Assam, the CPSE is also providing end-user training for the smooth implementation of the project. It can also provide a number of technology-based services like AI-based cloud platform solutions for smart classrooms and learning management systems, etc.
Officials explained that with the pandemic rapidly changing the world, all important sectors like health and education are leaning towards cutting-edge digital technologies to adapt to the new normal. Last month, the government launched a virtual school concept that will allow millions of eligible students outside the school system to complete their studies without having to physically attend. As OpenGov Asia reported, the concept will be implemented through the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) and will be entirely digital.
The school is the first-of-its-kind initiative in India. It will provide advanced digital learning platforms via virtual live classrooms and labs. The availability of digital schooling will benefit those who are out of the existing system. The move underscores the government’s push towards increasing the adoption of technology in the education sector. The school is a new model of learning and is an example of how leveraging technology and innovation can facilitate greater inclusion in education. Under the project, students’ assessments and examinations will also happen via remote proctoring. Students in Classes 9 to 12 will have options to join a virtual school. In such schools, classes will be conducted virtually but will be activity-based, textbook-based, and experiential. Examination results will be declared digitally.
According to NIOS, the virtual school is like an online platform “with a mission to enable access to affordable, world-class education to enhance learning outcomes”. Students will attend live interactive classes, watch recorded sessions, and submit tutor-marked assignments (TMAs), assessments, and exams. The school will also offer certifications to enhance student employability and may be offered access to job boards and job portals for career-related issues.
Recently, the Ministry of Education and the University Grants Commission (UGC) organised a national webinar on the “Use of Technology in Education”. The key takeaways of the webinar were that of establishing a hybrid model of education with the blend of virtual and physical education. The National Education Policy 2020, with the use of technology, will increase the gross enrolment ratio, decrease the drop-out rate, and improve student mobility, equity, and quality of education for students and faculty. Several academicians, higher education institutions, students, experts from industry and technical fields from all across the country took part in the webinar.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Samaya Dharmaraj
Quelle/Source: Open Gov Asia, 04.09.2021
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