In a significant move towards enhancing digital infrastructure in education, the Tamil Nadu state government has announced plans to install Local Area Network (LAN) connections in more than 6000 state-run schools across the region. The primary objective behind this initiative is to improve the facilities in computer labs, benefitting both teachers and students.
Presently, the schools feature standalone computers, leading to challenges in data transfer between systems and vulnerability to viruses. Recognizing these limitations, the state government has decided to implement LAN networks in schools that have more than 10 desktop computers.
A senior officer from the school education department revealed that 6029 government schools in Tamil Nadu currently possess more than 10 desktop systems, all of which are standalone. The existing setup requires teachers to individually upload and maintain each computer, a time-consuming process that the LAN network aims to streamline.
The proposed LAN network is expected to bring substantial benefits, allowing both teachers and students to access databases, emails, share documents, and print efficiently using software running on the LAN server. Network administrators, including teachers and headmasters, will have the capability to manage read and write access.
The state government plans to select an IT network firm through a proper tendering process to implement LAN connections in government schools. Approximately 3090 high and higher secondary schools have 10 computers, and 2929 schools have 20 computers, according to the senior officer. To ensure uninterrupted functionality, all computer labs will be equipped with an Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) system.
As part of the initiative, the selected IT network firm will provide training to teachers for handling computers once the LAN connections are installed.