Old met new on Thursday when the 176-year-old Amar Shaheed Thakur Vishwanath Shahdeo Zilla School or simply Zilla school in Ranchi logged into the digital era by turning into a Wi-Fi zone.

The move, the authorities claimed, is expected to help the capital's oldest school take several leaps forward to the model standard to retain its past glory.

Secretary of state school education and literacy mission department Aradhana Patnaik formally switched on the Wi-Fi network and unveiled a smart class while inaugurating a two-day state-level science seminar on the 13-acre campus at Shaheed Chowk.

According to Ranchi district education officer Ramkumar Prasad Singh, one modem had already been installed on the campus while another machine would soon be fitted to ensure smooth network and high speed.

He added that the Wi-Fi facility would enable students and teachers to conveniently use Internet for better academic pursuits and research.

Currently, the school has only four computers at its lab.

"We are trying to increase the number through corporate social responsibility funds. We are in touch with many private and public sector companies, banks and other organisations for donating computers to the school. A meeting was held under the chairmanship of deputy commissioner in the past. We are planning another round of meeting next week," Singh said, adding that they were also planning to float advertisements in local dailies.

"We will give courtesy to the organisations that donate computers."

About smart classes, he said that currently, those were only meant for plus two science students and would be extended to all standards in the future.

"With time, the teaching pattern is changing and we need to catch up with that," the district education officer said.

The education department has already begun brainstorming on ways to convert Zilla school into a model one.

"In the coming months, we are going to upgrade our laboratories and classrooms, recruit more and better teachers etc. This apart, we are also introducing dress codes for both teaching and non-teaching staff to promote professionalism. Today (Thursday), the dress code was introduced only for non-teaching staff. This apart, we will be giving tabs to meritorious students from the next academic year," he said.

After Durga Puja, Zilla school will also launch free coaching in math, science and English.

"This will be for students of our school and other nearby institutions. We are working out on the list of teachers and appreciate if any qualified person from outside wishes to teach for free," he said.

Do you think the Wi-Fi facility will be a boon for students ? Tell ttkhand@abpmail.com