The non-functional Edusat terminals in various government schools of the district, has adversely affected the studies of students from these schools for the past one month. The school authorities claimed that whenever they tried to switch on the equipment, the system failed to do so, showing a 'communication failure'. Out of a total of 329 government high and senior secondary schools in the district, 292 have E-labs.
According to district Edusat coordinator, 90 Edusat terminals were set up in government schools, out of which 49 were 'Receive-only terminals'(ROT) and 41 were 'Satellite-interactive terminals'(SIT). Last year, as many as 201 new 'receive-only terminals' were set up in the schools. ROTs are one way communication-where students can study through satellite as the subject material is available through satellite.
On the other hand, Satellite-Interactive terminals(SIT) is two-way communication, which enables students to ask questions and receive answers immediately.
A government school principal on condition of anonymity, said, “The Edusat terminal has not been working since July 1 and we have informed the coordinator regarding the same. It is a big loss for students as there many motivational lectures used to be delivered via Edusat which proved to be beneficial for the students but now the equipments are of no use.”
Another school headmistress who wished not to be named, said, “We have received the schedule for Edusat but since the terminal is not working, the schedule holds no importance. It has already been a month and the authorities have taken no step so far to ensure its repair.”
{{/usCountry}}Another school headmistress who wished not to be named, said, “We have received the schedule for Edusat but since the terminal is not working, the schedule holds no importance. It has already been a month and the authorities have taken no step so far to ensure its repair.”
{{/usCountry}}When contacted, Jasbir Singh, district coordinator, Edusat, said, “We have not been receiving the annual maintenance charges from the head office and that is the reason the communication failure comes on the screen of Edusat terminals. Infact, not all edusat terminals are facing communication failure. The new ROTs that were set up last year, are working perfectly. Whenever we receive a complaint from any school, we make it a point to solve it within in a week. The schools, mostly, face problem in UPS, batteries.”