Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood, on Thursday, launched NaMo Sugamya Rath and Sugamya Delhi Yatra to announce the government’s plans to improve the city’s accessibility for senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
The initiative will make upgrades in public infrastructure, including government buildings, institutions, parks, markets, bus stops, and residential areas, according to a press note from the Department.
The minister stated that the task would require participation from the Resident Welfare’s Associations (RWA). He noted that a Purple Ambassador will be appointed in every block and park for ensuring the accessibility of a given locality. Calling it a “campaign of social awareness and collective participation”, Sood said, “ This will make Delhi a truly inclusive and sensitive city.”
The minister also inaugurated the first NIPUN Shala under the Delhi Government’s NIPUN Sankalp Yojana at Delhi Government School at Janakpuri in West Delhi on Thursday. The Scheme aims at improving literacy and numeracy skills of students in foundational years, between Class 1 and Class 8 — hoping to prepare them for better success in higher education.
Sood further highlighted the Delhi government’s ambition of making every classroom a smart classroom, enabling students to progress with technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI). “In the coming years, children from Delhi will represent the country as ‘AI Ambassadors’ at national and international forums”, he said.
Outlining the current progress, the minister noted around 21,000 classrooms have been equipped with smart blackboards, and the remaining 17,000 will soon follow.
“Every student will be provided with Chromebooks, smart classrooms, and technology-based learning, the same facilities for which parents currently pay hefty fees in private schools,” he added.
The minister also championed the use of AI integration in education for reducing the teachers’ workload, such as attendance through facial recognition, paper setting, and assessment automation.