After 2-year delay, teachers at 15 Delhi schools to get tablets

A circular had been sent to the deputy directors of education of all districts on July 19, asking them to send the name of a school for the pilot project as well as the details of all regular and guest/contractual teachers.

The teachers have been trained to use the tablets along with an app developed for the purpose. (Representational image)

After prolonged delays in providing tablets to teachers to assist them with administrative work, officials in the Directorate of Education (DoE) said that the 15 pilot schools chosen for the project will get them “within the next few days”. They added that teachers in all Delhi government schools — over 1,000 — will get them within the current academic year.

According to Director of Education Sanjay Goel, a circular was recently sent to the heads of the 15 schools instructing teachers to purchase tablets for which they will be reimbursed, in order to kick-off a programme which has been in the pipeline for two years now. The 15 pilot schools include three from the North district and one each from the other 12 districts.

A circular had been sent to the deputy directors of education of all districts on July 19, asking them to send the name of a school for the pilot project as well as the details of all regular and guest/contractual teachers.

“The time it has taken to reach this stage is because some approvals were pending and some issues relating to finance had to be sorted out. There was also some discussion and confusion on whether guest teachers should be given tablets as well, as they join and leave frequently. However, we have decided that all guest teachers will also procure the devices, and it will be the responsibility of the head of the school concerned to recover the cost if the teacher leaves the position,” said Goel.

The teachers have been trained to use the tablets along with an app developed for the purpose, which has modules for recording attendance and examination marks.

According to Goel, the app will be developed further based on inputs received and the manner in which teachers are able to utilise it. “One idea that is being discussed is that the app can be developed such that when a teacher marks a student absent, the guardian can automatically receive a message notifying him/her of that,” he said.

The project was first announced in 2016, and found mention in subsequent budget speeches.

Sukrita Baruah

Sukrita Baruah is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, based in Guwahati. From this strategic hub, she provides comprehensive, ground-level coverage of India's North East, a region characterized by its complex ethnic diversity, geopolitical significance, and unique developmental challenges. Expertise and Experience Ethnic & Social Dynamics: Deep-dive coverage of regional conflicts (such as the crisis in Manipur) and peace-building efforts. Border & Geopolitics: Tracking developments along India’s international borders and their impact on local communities. Governance & Policy: Reporting on state elections, tribal council decisions, and the implementation of central schemes in the North East. Specialized Education Background: Prior to her current role, Sukrita was a dedicated Education Correspondent for The Indian Express in Delhi. This experience provided her with a sharp analytical lens for: Policy Analysis: Evaluating the National Education Policy (NEP) and university-level reforms. Student Affairs: Covering high-stakes stories regarding campus politics, national entrance exams, and the challenges within the primary and secondary education sectors. ... Read More