Government DTH Channels To Screen Educational Content In Tier-II Cities

Soon, the government might be planning to screen educational content in cinema halls in small towns across the country. The move has been initiated by NASSCOM, an umbrella body in the IT industry in the country.

If the proposal does get approved, human resource development(HRD) ministry will showcase educational content through its DTH channel, Swayam Prabha, to cinema halls in small towns and urban populated areas with a population of less than 1 lakh.

The ministry approved the Swayam Prabha scheme in August last year. Reportedly after the content is showcased for students in cinema halls, they will be able to clear their queries through a toll-free helpline number.

While the cost of the project and other such details are still to be sorted out, the said screenings will likely be held on Sundays and other school holidays.

According to a report by HT, a senior HRD official said, "The unutilized potential of several thousand cinema theatres spread across the country can be tapped through this simple measure. Educational content can be screened between 7 am and 11 am or school timings of the concerned area."

The official added, "There are a number of single-screen cinema halls and they remain unutilized. By relaying educational content through these halls we can reach out to a number of students at a time especially in smaller towns."

The ministry had previously launched 32 educational channels for students that provided good quality higher education, including three that will help students to prepare for the IIT examination.

Mass viewing of educational content in cinema halls can have a big impact on students, especially for classes 9th and 12th.