The Uttarakhand School Mapping Information System (USMIS) developed jointly by Uttarakhand Space Application Centre (USAC) and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) was inaugurated by Chief Minister Harish Rawat here on Wednesday.
Speaking on the occasion, the CM said that with the launch of USMIS, a range of information will be accessible online through school mapping. Stating that there is no substitute for a teacher in the education system, Rawat said that use of latest technologies will help in enhancing the education system.
He claimed that various efforts had been undertaken to improve the education system, adding that presently there are teachers working in every school. Attempt is being made to ensure the presence of teachers in all classes by March 31.
With the use of space technologies like remote sensing, GIS and GPS, this geo-spatial database on the various aspects of State schools will prove to be of much use for the Education department, he said.
Following the creation of this database, design makers and policy makers will be able to use the provided information for educational development and planning works.
The CM said that USAC should also work on GIS mapping of all Anganwadis in the State. Additionally, USAC should also work with the Rural Development department on GIS mapping of villages for use in rural development efforts, said Rawat.
USAC director Durgesh Pant informed that the project was aimed at mapping and digital database of all schools along with basic facilities available and road network. This information system will enable access to information in map form at various levels.
The system will contain details of all primary, upper primary, high school and intermediate colleges including location and basic facilities. Relevant information will also be available through photographs, MES report and interactive maps.
This information system entails map query analysis for displaying the types of schools, management, available facilities and altitude. The minimum and maximum distribution pattern of schools can be understood on the basis of the number of students and teachers in the schools.
Pant further informed that the centre is working on various applications including the beta version of school monitoring and facilitation of educational services through television-education.
School Education secretary D Senthil Pandiyan informed that the USMIS software will provide access to varied information about the schools in the State. The department in association with the National Informatics Centre has developed an Uttarakhand educational portal to facilitate department activities online.