Computer labs worth ₹7.49cr not used since March

THE PRINCIPAL OF A SUBURBAN SCHOOL SAID THAT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO USE THE COMPUTERS DUE TO PENDING INSTALLATION

MUMBAI: Most of the computers labs set up by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in 179 of its schools lie unused after the corporation spent ₹7.49 crore on its installation in March. While most schools had received the equipment by March, they were unable to use them due to pending installation.

A recent audit conducted by Sainath Durge, a member of BMC’S education committee, showed that a large number of schools which have been allotted computers have still not started using them.

“It was shocking to find that in over 100 schools, the computers which were allotted have not yet been installed. What is the point of spending so much money if students cannot use the facilities meant for them?” asked Durge.

However, administrativeofficer from BMC Ajay Wani said that installation of the computers would happen in the next few days.

“Purchase and installation are two separate processes. Installation of the computers is happening phase wise and should be completed soon,” he added.

The principal of a suburban school said that they have not been able to use the computers due to pending installation.

“We were happy to get a fresh lot of computers for our students and had already planned to use them well. But the corporation did not follow up after the computers were allotted to us. We were told to wait for few days before they are ready to use,” said the principal.

On Tuesday, members of the Yuva Sena (youth wing) visited schools across the city to find out the status of the initiative and found that the computers were catching dust in the absence of installation.

A municipal school in Dadar, Sion and Kurar village, Malad, were some of the schools where the labs were still non-functional.

On February 20, this year, the civic body gave a contract to INP Computer technology for installing computer labs in its 179 schools.

The order includes 10-12 monitors, LAN switches, host computer and other equipment needed for the lab.