The project is estimated to cost around Rs 110 crore. According to the government, it is aimed at speeding development in the tribal districts of Gujarat. Earlier, the government had tied up with various companies like Educomp for education software, Microsoft for teachers’ training and NIIT for learning software.

HCL, the Rs 12,307 crore hardware, services and ICT major, will now implement this project under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode, with the government keeping a close watch on the progress and services delivered by the company.

As part of the contract, HCL will supply PCs with biometric fingerprint scanner and UPS to over 7,000 schools across Gujarat. The project will focus on Ashram Shala (tribal residential school), Adarsh Nivasi Shala, Eklavya, primary and upper primary schools.

HCL Infosystems will collaborate with the tribal development and education departments of Gujarat to facilitate capturing of online attendance data for both students and teachers in schools.

Under the existing programmes, the government has been giving grant for schools in the tribal area on the basis of the student attendance. This system will enable the generation of real time data and effective utilisation of grants for a transparent education system at all levels in the state. The system will also help the government study education patterns and dropout rates across regions.

Ajai Chowdhry, Chairman and CEO, HCL Infosystems Ltd said, “Such programmes will lead tribal communities into the new age.”

Initially, the implementation process will take place in two of the eight notified tribal districts, comprising 150 schools each. After two months, it will be extended to all the remaining schools. HCL will also setup helpdesks at each district and a project management unit at Gandhinagar, for effective delivery.