PMC's ₹20 Crore E-Learning Project Stalls
The Pune Municipal Corporation's (PMC) ambitious e learning project, launched with great fanfare and a multi-crore investment, has come to a standstill. Additional Com missioner M J Pradeep Chandran confirmed the system is non-functional but admitted he is unaware of the reasons behind its failure— raising concerns over the administration's neglect of the initiative.
In 2017, PMC introduced e-learning facilities in 265 schools, later expanding to 147 more institutions at a cost of ₹20.99 crore. The project included guidance sessions for students and subject-based learning modules, supported by a radio broadcast-inspired studio. However, with the e-learning system down, the studio and other infrastructure remain unused and collecting dust.
According to a civic official, the collapse of the system is primarily due to the lack of internet connectivity. Reliance Jio had announced free internet services for municipal schools nationwide, prompting PMC to integrate Jio's network for e-learning programs. Initially, this enabled digital learning across 265 municipal schools, benefitting nearly one lakh students—mostly from economically weaker families.
PMC's education board had pushed for better digital learning, adding e-learning to Vidya Niketan, English-medium schools, sports academies, and music institutes. Over seven to eight years, the corporation spent crores on interactive software tailored for different grades, with TV screens and computers installed in classrooms. While internet connectivity was first provided by BSNL, disruptions during the Covid lockdown affected operations. Yet, authorities failed to restore the system afterward, citing only internet issues as the reason behind its shutdown.
Amid India's Digital India campaign, where every sector is embracing digital transformation, PMC's failure to keep its e-learning program running due to internet shortages has sparked public outrage in Pune.
Meanwhile, BSNL has failed to provide reliable internet to PMC schools, and despite Reliance Jio's nationwide free internet scheme for municipal institutions, PMC has yet to acquire Jio's services. Citizens argue that the administration should have ensured connectivity, but official negligence has reduced the initiative to an abandoned project. Many now believe the ₹20.99 crore investment has gone to waste, leading to growing resentment among residents.
PMC officials recently reviewed various civic departments, including municipal schools. Discussions were held on introducing special student initiatives this year, with officials confirming the e-learning system remains shut down. When asked why it failed, department heads could not provide answers. 'Even I am unaware of the reason, but we plan to restart the system in the upcoming academic year,' Additional Commissioner M J Pradeep Chandran stated.
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