The Hindu Business Line : Kerala schools to hold annual exam on computers

PERHAPS for the first time in the country, an annual school examination is being conducted on computers, using specially developed software. Over five lakh ninth standard students in Kerala will log on to computers during this week to take their test on information technology.

"This is probably the first time a school final examination is conducted entirely on computers," says Mr Biju Prabhakaran, Executive Director of IT@School Project of the State Government. "We decided not to use papers to write the exam since the subject is IT."

Mr Prabhakaran said 2,615 schools in the State are equipped with computers and around 28,000 teachers have been trained in information technology. In a few schools where there are no computers, arrangements have been made with local computer training institutes to hold the examination.

A Kochi-based company, Team e-biz, has developed the software, which will test the students' skills in computers. During the 25-minute examination, ability to use basic functions of a computer will be tested.

The software will randomly generate questions and ensure that no two students get the same questions. There will be theory as well as practical part for the examination.

In the next academic year, the 10th standard students will also take a similar test for their final examination. "Then we will have 16 lakh students in Kerala who are computer literate," Mr Prabhakaran told Business Line.

The IT@School project seeks to impart computer education to students as well as teachers. Computer education has been made a part of the syllabus and schools are encouraged to set up computer labs on their own.

Some of the Members of Parliament and Assembly have also contributed to establish such labs in the schools in their area. A fee of Rs 25 per month is collected from students.

The 11th and 12th standard students will also have computer as a part of curriculum in the coming years.

More Stories on : Education | IT Training | Kerala

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