Ahmedabad: In a first-of-its-kind initiative, Sabarmati Central Jail is set to launch a virtual education programme that will allow inmates to attend regular online classes and interact directly with teachers from inside the prison premises.The initiative, informally called “Jail Ki Pathshala”, will provide educational opportunities ranging from primary schooling to higher studies, along with vocational and skill-development courses. Jail officials said the move marks a shift from the existing system in which prisoners largely depended on distance learning programmes offered by open universities. Here, inmates study by themselves from course material provided.Under the new model, inmates will participate in daily e-learning sessions through virtual classrooms, enabling real-time interaction with teachers for the first time. Officials said the programme is aimed at improving literacy, encouraging rehabilitation and preparing inmates for reintegration into society after their release.Sabarmati jail superintendent Gaurav Agrawal said several inmates had previously pursued degree courses through open universities, but there was also a pressing need to focus on basic education.“For this, I have spoken with representatives of the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), who have shown readiness to establish a centre inside the jail. This will enable inmates to study from Class 1 to Class 12 through regular e-schooling sessions,” Agrawal said. Once the center is established, jail authorities will tie up with open universities to start teaching programmes for degree and diploma courses.He added that the authorities had received a positive response from NIOS and the classes are expected to begin soon.Apart from formal schooling, the jail administration is also planning to introduce degree courses and skill-based programmes such as spoken English and vocational training. Officials said the full-fledged e-learning system is being designed as a long-term correctional measure to help inmates rebuild their lives through education and skill enhancement.Earlier, the jail inmates had taken various skill-based courses like studying communication and making of anti-theft pockets with the collaboration of the National Institute of Design (NID) Ahmedabad.
