QUALITY EDUCATION THROUGH DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY

STANDARD OF EDUCATION IN A RURAL SCHOOL

Access of quality of education in the government schools in the rural interior villages are one of
the major areas of concern for UNCS. These schools lack proper text books and learning materials. The
capacity of teachers and the standard of teaching are also much below par. There are shortages of
teachers too. The middle school, at keradamattam, Kodanau panchayat being one among them, lacked
adequate infrastructure for enhancing the ambience and learning atmosphere. There was no proper
usable toilet or water facility. The building was ill maintained. The level of learning of students was sub
standard to say the least. Parents have gradually lost trust and hope on the effectiveness of these
government schools. It has resulted in poor enrollment and consequent irregular attendance.

The UNCS after discussing the issue of improving the standard of education with teachers and
parents decided to provide or improve the basic infrastructure in the school like toilets, water supply and
the facilities in class rooms at a cost of Rs 2.15lakh. UNCS in partnership with e-Vidyaloka education
trust, Banglore also initiated action to improve standard of teaching and learning in this school using
digital technology and e-learning.

JOINT INIATIVES OF UNCS AND THE SCHOOL

The middle school, at keradamattam, Kodanau panchayat, is engaged mainly with Scheduled
caste and tribal students. First UNCS repaired and renovated the school and class rooms and provided
the minimum infrastructural facilities at a cost of Rs 2.15 lakh.

Renovated School Building at keradamattam

UNCS and E-Vidyalaya education trust, Bangalore decided to commence joint initiatives to enhance the
quality education with the primary objective of improving the communicative language and litteracy skills
of learners. The intention was also to explore and create a tangible model for successful adoptation, by
building the capacity of students in rural government schools so that they could face any challenge in
todays competetive world.

E-Vidyalaya education trust provided digital based technology and direct visual communication
for the task. It provides option to listen,clarify,question and assimilate lessons as per their syllabus in
maths and science . It is also oriented towards, literacy, numeracy and creative thinking with the
facilitaion of well trained teachers stationed in Banglore through skype. This digitalysed online coaching
classes have been designed to help students to learn beyond regular class 6,7 and 8 and would derive
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greater clarity from this programme. The cost of technology is borne by eVidyaloka, UNCS and the
school. School provided computers,LED projectors and willing students. UNCS provided UPS, pay for
the Co-ordinator in the school, set up smart class, high speed internet connection, to the students, and
eVidyaloka take care of teachers on line teaching English, science, and mathematics, and the salary for
the co-ordinator from their side. In this venture E-Vidyaloks share in expenditure is about 1.45lakh.
UNCSs contribution is about 0.85lakh.UNCS also arranged special classes for slow learners at leisure
times by a separate facilitating teacher to improve their level of performance.

Gayathri the coordinator Tamil Nadu of E- Vidyaloka is online screen during the inauguration session.
.

Online classes is in progress.

IMPACT
This is the first attempt to introduce smart classes in government schools in the district of Nilgris.
E-Vidyaloka teachers were highly motivated, and therefore participated and contributed immensely for the
success of the programme. Students are excited and attend classes regularly. The students English
communication skills, easy understanding of mathematics, modern science and universe standard have
shown marked progress by great teaching technique and direct visual communication. The attention and
concentration of students in class rooms have changed for the better. Numbers of slow learners are
declining fast. The learning sessions are thus made interesting and enjoyable for the teacher and taught.
The overall atmosphere inside the class rooms have changed for the better. There is vast change taking
place in digital communication technology and the same is being utilized to improve the quality of
education in rural, interior, tribal areas by the joint efforts of Education department, UNCS and E-
Vidyaloka. This digital intervention perhaps, may lead to further rectification measures to set right the
deficiencies that have crept in our educational system due to outdated and unattractive pedagogies in
rural schools.

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 Keradamattam School selected as one of the best school by eVidyaloka.

Video conferencing method made education easy, interesting and more understandable for students.

The students also learned better behavior and cultural importance along with as shown below.

Cultural activities encouraged by uncs.

Due to all these efforts this school was recognized as best E- school among all in the Tamil
Nadu State by e-Vidyaloka, and one Kalaimani of VIth class was selected as best student among all the
schools partnered by e-Vidyaloka.

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 Certificates distribution

The efforts of UNCS to introduce smart class on line education programme introduced first time in
Nilgris has attracted attention of other schools in Nilgiris and they in turn requested UNCS for introduction
of smart class programme in their schools too.

Press report on smart classes Inauguration by MLA

As per their request UNCS has initiated online classes in two more schools which are categorized
as most back ward. We have thus started smart classes in Government tribal middle school, Thavitoo
medu Aravenu; and Government middle school, sullikode, mostly comprising SC and repatriate
students.At present smart classes in all the three schools are running successfully. UNCS also facilitated
and encouraged extracurricular activities like karate, yoga and bharathanattiyam training programmes in
all these schools. The standard of learning is certainly on the rise in these schools and the result will
tangibly be more visible in the coming months.

Keradamattam Middle school Sullicode Middle school

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 The efforts taken to improve the quality of education in rural interior villages also received wide
publicity by the coverage in the local press as shown in the clippings below.

Press coverage on various occasions about smart classes