Odisha Govt Inks Pact With TCS To Streamline Online Teaching

Bhubaneswar: In order to impart online teaching in an effective way in the Adarsha and Utkarsha Vidyalayas across the state, Odisha Government on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with leading Information Technology firm Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).

In view of the Covid-19 pandemic, online teaching with expertise from TCS will be implemented in 214 Adarsha Vidyalayas and 101 Utkarsh Vidyalayas in the state.

“Online teaching has become an integral part of the school curriculum these days due to the outbreak of the pandemic. The State Government has signed an MOU with TCS to have its effective implementation in the Adarsha and Utkarsh Vidyalayas of the state. The process has been inaugurated today and we are hopeful that it will be helpful for the students," said State School and Mass Education Minister Samir Das.

According to sources, unlike in other states, online classes in Odisha have not been so successful due to poor internet connectivity in remote areas. Only 22 lakh out of 60 lakh students have access to online classes. The number dropped again as parents returned to their workplaces with the family’s only smartphone following the lifting of lockdown.

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in March, schools across the state have remained closed.

(Edited by Suryakant Jena)