Computer education to be made compulsory in colleges

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, JAN. 26 The Government wants to make computer education compulsory in all degree colleges in the State from the academic year 2003-2004.

`You are only half-literate if you do not have computer knowledge, no matter how well you are otherwise qualified. Computer knowledge holds the key for future. That is our slogan,'' the Chief Minister, Mr. N. Chandrababu Naidu, said at a news conference here on Friday, after releasing the strategy paper on education.

It was proposed to permit private agencies to set up computer literacy classes in colleges located in big towns. They will offer training to students during college hours and also to outsiders before or after college hours.

Similarly, it was also proposed to organise training for the 12 lakh government employees, for which the Marri Channa Reddy HRD Institute would formulate course material.

The strategy paper says `education' now covers not just children in schools but the learning needs of adults as well -- in short education for all. The aim is not merely to make the State `literate, but a knowledge society capable of meeting the challenges posed by the 21st century'.

Literacy levels were improving by one per cent every year. In order to achieve the goal of 95 per cent literacy by 2005, it was necessary to ensure 10 per cent annual growth rate. The `Akshara Sankranti' programme, in which 43 lakh adult illiterates were imparted literacy skills in 90 days, Mr. Naidu said, `is amazing'. Special focus will now be on girl child, child labour and disadvantaged children.

As part of harnessing technology for promoting education, the Government is planning to use C band and KU band to impart instruction in the high schools and train teachers through interactive mode.

In the area of higher education, it seeks to promote closer collaboration between universities and industry and creation of a high-power research board at the State level for research and development work, for innovations in curriculum and teaching and learning. It would work as a sensitive antenna to forecast future trends in the academic and employment sector.

As of now, total spending on school education and adult education was of the order of Rs 3,500 crores. It will need close to Rs 4,538 crores every year for the next five years to achieve the goal of education for all. For this, cost-effective technology options like distance education, enlistment of community & private sector participation, sponsorship of specific projects by donors or NRIs have to be adopted, the paper says.

This apart, funds have to be raised internally through user charges, cess or taxes. The paper also underlines reforms in the area of governance, curriculum and examinations.

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Section  : Southern States
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