Sayantani Deb
Guwahati: Gone are the days of monotonous lectures in shabby classrooms for students and teachers in remote government schools in Assam‘s Darrang district.
Thanks to a collaborative effort between Synopsys India and Bal Raksha Bharat, these schools have undergone a digital transformation, embracing smart learning. Modern technological equipment now graces their classrooms, fostering an engaging and enriching learning experience for students.
“In the post-pandemic world, while urban students enjoy easy access to technology, rural children often lack the same opportunities,” says Kritanjali Kashyap, Manager (PIU) operations at Bal Raksha Bharat.
“This initiative aims to bridge the digital divide and empower students in remote areas,” she added.
Following the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the Draft National Curriculum 2023, this project equips ten schools in Darrang with smart classes. Bijay Chowdhury, Group Head – CSR and Philanthropy (Asia Pacific) at Synopsys India, said that their “prime mission is to take technology to the grassroots and improve the quality of education, in line with NEP 2020.”
Duni Higher Secondary School, established in 1946, is one of the beneficiaries. “Smart classes were beyond our imagination. Students from classes VI to IX have been greatly benefitted,” says Hemalata Hazarika, the principal of the school.
Each smart class boasts an LED panel loaded with an e-content syllabus, a webcam, a soundbar, and a power backup inverter. The multimedia format allows teachers to create visually appealing lessons, making learning interactive and stimulating for students.
Hazarika reports a significant increase in student attendance since the introduction of smart classes. “The novelty attracts students, and their engagement and performance have noticeably improved,” she observes.
Pre-designed content also alleviates the workload of teachers, allowing them to dedicate more time to personalized learning strategies and fostering a positive learning environment.
“We are deeply grateful to Synopsys India and Bal Raksha Bharat for showing our students and teachers a new way of learning and teaching,” says Hazarika.
This initiative serves as a beacon of hope for democratizing access to quality education and bridging the digital divide, empowering rural students with the tools they need to thrive in the 21st century.