Empty “box”: the Ministry of Digital Transformation suspended the Wi-Fi connection program for schools

The project of “digital literacy” is frozen, the digitalization of military registration and enlistment offices continues

The Ministry of Digital Development reports that some projects have been frozen, including the digitalization of schools. Since 2021, 9,000 schools have been connected to the wireless network (less than a quarter in the country). And, well, that’s all for now. The “pilot launch” took place, now there will be a test. At the same time, the Accelerated Digital Competency Program has been suspended. But all military registration and enlistment offices will be connected to a wireless secure Internet.

Head of the department Maksut Shadayev spoke about the decision to suspend the digitalization of schools at a meeting of the State Duma Committee on Budget and Taxes. According to the minister, the “pilot” took place in 16 regions. And now “we agreed with the Minister of Education that we will look at the practice of using it.”

Meanwhile, Wi-Fi in schools means not only high-speed local Internet, but also the installation of modern video surveillance systems with elements of artificial intelligence.

– Many do not understand why schools need Wi-Fi, when the usual fiber-optic or mobile Internet is already everywhere. But Wi-Fi is based on the principle of wireless, wave communication, – says programmer Ivan Berezin. – And its advantage is not only that the information transfer rate is high, and this is a high-quality signal. But also in the fact that a local network is being created, where entry is ordered to someone else.

The school may have its own server or one data center for several schools. The router emits “digital” waves, the same “box” that is in almost every apartment now, it should hang in every classroom. Built-in access points on every digital device: computer, tablet, phone, etc. receive a signal. All routers are connected to the control center and create a local network. Its possibilities are great: from internal correspondence from computers/phones to any kind of real-time surveillance. In addition, there are also external filters – municipal, ministerial. Therefore, without Wi-Fi, it is impossible to make reliable video surveillance and reliably protect data, the same USE tasks. And with it, you can fully use the capabilities of devices that many schools have: projectors, interactive whiteboards, wireless headphones, computer labs.

How much does it cost to connect an entire school to high-tech Internet, Ivan found it difficult to answer. But, say, in a private house in the suburbs, you can “wire” Wi-Fi for 4-6.5 thousand. Of course, we are not talking about installing a server or arranging a data center, this is all based on the provider. And the user still has to pay a subscription fee. But even if connecting a school costs two orders of magnitude higher, this is not an outrageous expense for the state. Especially considering how important it is today to counter the terrorist threat. And save data, respect personal confidentiality, do not “shine” the digital profiles of children.

Speaking about frozen projects, Shadayev mentioned once advertised “digital specialties”. The application was submitted through the State Portal. “This year we are recruiting the last stream, next year we are completing it and for now we are freezing the program,” the head of the digital department said. But it became known that the program for connecting military registration and enlistment offices to high-speed secure Internet in 2023 will be completed completely. “Next year, all military commissariats will be connected to the secure Internet and to the Ministry of Defense Network.”