Punjab CM launches the second phase of Punjab smart connect scheme by providing smartphones to 80k students

Punjab CM launches the second phase of Punjab smart connect scheme by providing smartphones to 80k students

Harshabab Sidhu
Nabaz-e-Punjab, Mohali, December 18:
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Friday virtually launched the second phase of the ‘Punjab Smart Connect Scheme’, marked by distribution of smart phones to another 80,000 class 12 students of Government Schools.
The event witnessed simultaneous distribution of phones at 845 schools today by various Ministers, MLAs and other dignitaries across the state.
Kick-starting the second phase at the Government Senior Secondary School here, the Chief Minister announced that the remaining 45443 smart phones of the targeted 1,75,443 would be provided to students by the end of this month, to fulfill his government’s commitment to further strengthen digital infrastructure in schools. While his government had tried to distribute these phones urgently to meet the online education challenges amid Covid, closure of the industry had somewhat delayed the process, he added.
In the 1st phase, 50,000 students had received smart phones. Under the scheme, the state government is spending Rs 87.84 crore for the digital empowerment of 88,059 boys and 87,284 girls. The Chief Minister said that 877 tablets were also being provided today in 22 senior secondary schools at the cost of Rs one crore. Earlier, 2,625 tablets were provided to 372 primary schools at the cost of Rs. 2.99 crore.
Addressing the students, Capt Amarinder said when the Punjab Congress promised smart phones in its manifesto, nobody knew these phones would become so vital for students due to the Covid pandemic. He said he wanted Punjab’s youngsters to be abreast with the latest technological advancements for effective promotion of digital education, which leverages technology in a big way in the present scenario. The Chief Minister said that smart phones and tablets would equip the students to meet the challenges of education during the trying times of pandemic.
On the occasion, Sports and Youth Services Minister Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi suggested district-level Captain Smart Connect Conclaves for the Chief Minister to interact with students before or after their exams to enable the latter to share their experiences on online education. Cabinet Minister Balbir Sidhu also expressed his appreciation for the Chief Minister’s efforts to promote digital and smart education in the state.
Education Minister Vijay Inder Singla said these Smart phones were distributed at 845 locations across the State at the cost of Rs. 88 Crore provided for the purpose. He said that 1400 more schools to be converted into smart schools.
Industries and Commerce Minister Sunder Sham Arora said that smart phones would be instrumental in bolstering e-learning amongst the students amid Covid-19 pandemic.
PPCC President Sunil Jakhar, while congratulating the Chief Minister for this remarkable initiative, said that it would result in ensuring quality education which alone can tackle social unrest as only an enlightened and educated mind can do that.
Punjab Youth Congress President Birinder Dhillon also lauded the efforts of the Chief Minister to empower the students through such pathbreaking initiatives. Earlier Chief Minister also interacted with the tiny tots of the Pre Primary wing of the school.