Uttarakhand has free-tablet plan for class 10-12 government school students

In a move that may have huge political implications and in what is being considered a major educational initiative amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the Uttarakhand government has plans to distribute free tablets to over 1.6 lakh students in classes 10 to 12 of state government schools.

"The tender for procurement of the tablets will close on November 11. We aim at issuing the work order by November 15," director general of school education Banshidhar Tewari told ET.

Going by the speed at which the state government is planning to complete the process and distribute the tablets, it seems that it wants to complete the whole process before the announcement of the poll dates. The state government last directed the authorities concerned to put in place a system for quick distribution of the tablets once they are procured by it.


Keeping in mind the internet issues in the far-flung areas of the hill state, the government plans to load the study materials on the tablets. "Tablets will have DIKSHA app," a source in the education department said.

The state will also set up virtual classrooms in 600 schools and create a studio for engaging the students.

Sources in the state government said the assumed cost of one tablet is around ₹14,500. The government is also planning to distribute free tablets among students of government degree colleges, the source said.

"Work on the idea began during the tenure of Tirath Singh Rawat. Now, the Dhami government is implementing the scheme," a government source said.