The Hindu Business Line : National meet on school computer study in Chennai

OVER 20 State governments will share their experiences in computer education in schools at a two-day national conference on `Computer education in schools - the challenges and strategies for a total solution,' being organised by Tamil Nadu later this month.

With five years under its belt after introducing computer education in 1,197 government higher secondary schools, the Government is organising the national conference. Representatives from at least 20 other States are likely to participate.

To be held on September 24 and 25 here, it will be a part of CONNECT 2004, the annual conference on information and communication technology.

Addressing a press conference here, the information technology secretary, Mr Vivek Harinarain, said that Tamil Nadu has introduced computer education in schools in public-private partnership.

Private companies in computer education have brought in the hardware, software and the staff to teach the course framed by the State Government. Thus the schools get the benefit of computer education without the government bearing any recurring expenditure. This is a model that other States are hoping to follow.

By October such courses would be introduced in 400 more schools, thus bringing under the programme all the Government higher secondary schools in the State.

With the first five-year tender period coming to an end, the process of identifying companies to continue the programme for the next five years is on, Mr Harinarain.

According to the Anna University's Vice-Chancellor, Dr E. Balagurusamy, the model adopted by Tamil Nadu has the advantage of all the schools getting upgraded hardware every few years. The computers from the higher secondary schools, which will get new equipment, will be transferred to the high schools.

Mr Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu (ELCOT), which is the designated promotional agency for promoting information technology, said that the corporation monitors the programme on a quarterly basis.

While the agreement with the companies providing education calls for an assured pass percentage of 65 of the students, they have been able to maintain more than 90 per cent, he said.

More Stories on : IT Training | Education | Tamil Nadu

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