Smart schools plan on Cabinet agenda

While the school size will be a determining factor,each school,according to the scheme,will be equipped with at least one computer laboratory and at least 10 networked computers to begin with. Each laboratory will have a maximum of 20 computers,accommodating 40 students at a time and will aim at a student: computer ratio of 10:1.

Not more than two students should be made to work at a computer at a given time. Each school will be serviced with broadband connectivity of at least 2MBPS capacity,the proposal states.

At least one printer,scanner,projector,digital camera,audio recorders and such other devices will be part of the infrastructure. In addition,at least one classroom will be equipped with appropriate audio-visual facilities to support an ICT-enabled teaching-learning.

Appropriate hardware for Edusat terminals will be provided to selected schools in each state.

Private sector gratuity ceiling likely to be raised

New Delhi: In line with its earlier decision to raise gratuity ceiling to Rs 10 lakh from Rs 3.5 lakh for government employees,the Centre has decided to extend the scope of the benefit to the private sector too.

Following representations from employee bodies in the private sector who had been demanding that the advantage also be broadened to cover non-governmental areas,the Centre will be moving a proposal on Thursday in the Union Cabinet on the matter.

As a precursor to this move,the government had last month passed the Payment of Gratuity (Amendment) Bill,2009 in Parliament that had widened the definition of employee to include anyone working for wages,other than an apprentice. The Bill also covers educational institutions and teachers employed in them. ENS