Nagaland introduces digital smart boards for smart classrooms

Our Correspondent
Kohima, March 4 (EMN): Harnessing technology to enhance learning experience of students, Nagaland on Wednesday launched its first interactive digital smart boards for smart classrooms, becoming the first state in the north-eastern region to introduce such a facility in all the 15 government colleges.

A smart board is an interactive whiteboard that works with a projector and connected to a computer, allowing the users to manipulate anything on the screen using fingers or write with special pens.

During the launching programme held at Kohima Science College in Jotsoma, Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio wrote, “The future is here” on the digital smart board. The initiative will go a long way in improving the quality of education in Nagaland, he said. 

“The initiative is a step in the right direction that will make learning more interactive and engaging. It can be used by teachers and students to make learning joyful and interesting. In addition, teachers will be able to deliver technology-enabled dynamic and interactive lessons in classroom,” Rio added.

He congratulated the department of Higher Education, department of Information Technology and all those associated with the project for making the dream of technology-enabled education a reality in the classrooms. He said the new technology will make review and revision of lessons more convenient as well as helps the teachers to structure lessons.

Learning process becomes more fun with smart boards as it increases the level of engagement between teachers and students, Rio said, adding that it makes learning more convenient for persons with disability. He also said that the technology saves teaching costs and cuts down the expenditure on teaching materials and aids besides enabling live webinars, distance communication and education, and lectures.

The chief minister expressed hope that the teachers and students will make maximum use of the facility. In fact, students have the capability of excelling in all spheres with the facility at their disposal and will further help the cause of education, he said while urging the teaching community to ensure its successful implementation.

Stating that the government has been focusing on improving education by leveraging technology, Rio said geo-tagging of schools and data with regard to deployment of teachers in various schools have been made public on a geo spatial platform that will check if teachers actually teach. 

He said that all departments have their websites and social media accounts to maintain transparency and accountability which is necessary for good governance. He also informed that biometric attendance system has been installed in almost all the departments and directorates to improve attendance, make positive impact on work culture and productivity, as well as linked payment of salaries to it.

Rio stated that monitoring of flagship programmes and projects through use of technology is important as the state depends on centrally sponsored schemes (CSS) and flagship schemes for developmental plans.

The minister for Higher and Technical Education, and Tribal Affairs, Temjen Imna Along, in his address, said Nagaland is the first the Northeast to undertake such an initiative (introduction of smart boards) under corporate social responsibility activities. The journey of interactive smart boards to classrooms was embarked almost two years ago, he said, even as he urged leaders, advisors, and ministers to give importance to education.

Along informed that two colleges — Seyochung Government College, Tuensang, and Zunheboto Government College — will be assessed by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) on March 11 and the 12th, and March 16 respectively.

He said that the department of Higher and Technical Education has “no backdoor appointments” or “contractual appointments”. “It is in no way manipulated”, he said. He went on to say that “corruption is zero in our institutions” and “maintenance money is not eaten” by the minister, principals, and staff.

“No scholarship had been stolen,” he said, adding that mismanagement is a thing of the past and requested the people not to “harass” the department.

Additional director and head of department Dr. Apeni Lotha said the main objective of introducing interactive smart boards was to provide smart interaction to all colleges (15 government colleges) and hoped that it will promote competitiveness among students and enhance quality of teaching.

Lotha said that it aims to get NAAC assessment for all the colleges, with nine institutes already being assessed and two more to go through the evaluation this month. She further said that it envisages digitising all colleges and providing infrastructure including academic buildings, sports culture, auditorium and hostel facilities.