Mobile classrooms for poor lie untouched

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One of the three mobile study centres is ready since last September, Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar Open University is still waiting for ‘an official inauguration’
By Yogesh Avasthi
Posted On Friday, May 15, 2009 at 02:59:15 AM (Ahmedabad Mirror : http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?Page=article&sectname=News%20-%20City&sectid=3&contentid=200905152009051502591586931758b4c)
Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar Open University’s mobile study centres, which were to roll out last year to rural areas to impart education to poor children, are still lying untouched by the varsity authorities. While one is completely ready, three other vans are yet to be equipped with necessary electronic equipment.
The Distance Education Council had given it grant in 2007-08 for three mobile classrooms to be developed by HCL Info Limited. However, till date, only one has been developed. Even that has not been rolled out. The completely developed unit, equipped with 10 computers and projectors, is lying on the road outside R C Technical Institute on Sola Road because the entry gate is so small that it cannot enter the institute premises.
The mobile units were sanctioned for the university’s seven-day training programmes in basic English, computers and yoga which it planned to conduct for children in remote areas which lack basic infrastructure facilities like power.“One of the three mobile study centres is ready to be used. But due to some technical glitches, we are unable to use the facility,” said a senior official of the university. The mobile unit, built at a cost of Rs 27 lakh, was earlier kept at the varsity’s Shahibaug office.
“The major reason for not rolling out the mobile centre is that training of five faculty members for the courses is yet pending. We are yet to make complete payment to HCL Info Limited. However, we are sure that by the next academic session it will be done and children of rural areas will surely benefit,” said Vice Chancellor A K Singh.
But sources say, that is not the reason. “One of the mobile units is ready. The varsity authorities are waiting for an official inauguration,” says a source on condition of anonymity.The objective behind having a mobile study centre was to make education accessible to the underprivileged sections of the society in a cost-effective manner.

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