Bhubaneswar, Jan. 12: The state government appears to be determined to improve matriculation scores in government-run schools this year.

In an effort to help students score better in their exams, the school and mass education department has launched an exclusive revision class for matriculation students in schools linked to Edusat (educational satellite)

The higher secondary examination will begin from March 16. Currently, 40 schools in the state are connected to Edusat. Revision classes that began from January 3 are being conducted for math, science and English.

At least two subject experts trained in teleteaching have been covering each subject right from the beginning of the course. Classes are conducted from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm on alternative days from Monday to Friday.

Each subject is revised for 80 minutes and the entire book is being covered. “The revision classes are starting to gain popularity. Students are inquisitive and the interaction level has improved a lot,” said a senior official at the Orissa Remote Sensing Application Centre. Students can be seen engaged in live classroom programmes supported with demonstrations, visual clippings and Powerpoint presentations among other features “The subject experts also bring in question papers of previous years for discussion. Since the network provides two-way video and audio communication between the studio at one end and schools on the other, students get a chance to clear their doubts. They are instructed on how to employ a particular methodology to score maximum marks,” he said.

Dogged by allegations of poor performance by students in matriculation exams for the past few years, the state government is taking no chances this time. Meanwhile, the Edusat teaching system is likely to be to introduced about 150 more government schools. The Edusat learning was first introduced in the state on August 31, 2009 from the Orissa Remote Sensing Application Centre under the Department of Science and Technology complex here.

Indian Space Research Organisation was the network provider. At least 75 more general schools and 75 SC/ST schools will be availing the facility during this second phase expansion.

The Edusat facility is aimed to help students in remote areas to receive help from quality teachers, especially in important subjects such as science and maths.