Corporation top brass to decide on smart classrooms

Top brass of the Chennai Corporation is expected to take a final call within two weeks on how to implement its proposal to set up smart classrooms in 30 of its higher secondary schools. The proposal is expected to be taken up for review and a decision is expected once the Mayor returns to Ripon Building in a week’s time.

Sources told Express that a number of proposals on how to set up these smart classrooms have been presented to the top officials. This includes choices on the kind of infrastructure to be created, their installation, operation and maintenance. A decision is expected to be taken after a meeting between the Corporation Commissioner and the Mayor. The tenders for the project are expected to be floated soon after this.

This meeting is expected to take place after the return of Mayor Saidai S Duraisamy, who is currently out of station.

The options that are lined out before the Corporation top brass, according to sources, are over whether the civic body should maintain the infrastructure by itself after installation, or outsource that to a private contractor along with the installation. The necessary files have been moved to the top brass, and authorities are awaiting a discussion, before a decision can be made, sources told Express.

The initial target for the civic body is to set up these smart classrooms in 30 of its Chennai Higher Secondary Schools. One smart classroom would be set up in each school, and would be meant for the use of Classes XI and XII. After the implementation of work on this phase, the Corporation would make changes to the project if necessary and consider setting up more smart classrooms for other classes.

The proposal to set up smart classrooms had been approved by the Corporation Council in its meeting in April. The idea is to set up smart classrooms with multimedia facilities and to create access to alternative teaching and learning methodologies. The initial proposal envisioned setting up of classrooms with a computer, hooked up with a large monitor and speakers.

The provisional costing is not available, as certain key decisions are yet to be made.

The smart classrooms proposal is part of a wide range of projects outlined in the Corporation’s budget for 2012-13. Other projects include the formulation of a school-wise development plan, setting up of music rooms and classes in around 30 schools, conducting special courses and coaching for students wishing to appear for competitive examinations and an expansion of English medium sections.