Date:20/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/20/stories/2008032051500100.htm

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Computer training for students

Staff Reporter

Of 34 child labour special schools in Tiruchi district

PHOTO: R. M.RAJARATHINAM

LOVE’S LABOUR: Students being trained in computers in Tiruchi.

TIRUCHI: About 40 students of child labour special schools, run under the National Child Labour Programme (NCLP) in the district, are being imparted a computer training course crafted by a group of professors.

An initiative of Child Labour Elimination and Effective Rehabilitation Society (CHEERS), the training programme covers students from eight special schools including those at Ambikapuram, Jeeva Nagar, Krishnamoorthy Nagar, Kamaraj Nagar and Ariyamangalam.

The programme, which got off to a start on Tuesday, seeks to foster interest in computer and teach basic applications. The teachers of NCLP schools have picked up the brightest of the 1,173 students attached to the 34 special schools for the rigorous month-long training at Shrimati Indira Gandhi College for Women. A syllabus, to reach out to the students between standards I and VIII, has been drafted by the college professors.

With an introduction to computers, the course exposes the students to graphics, animation, logical reasoning and problem-solving through a series of educational CDs and applications with MS Excel. Teachers wrap up the lessons with spellbinding stories. Divided into groups, the students are encouraged to design greeting cards through Paintbrush and their competence will be assessed every five days. “Every student works individually. The programme is aimed at filling the gap in technical education given to them and provide them entry-level computer knowledge for jobs,” college Principal K. Meena, who inaugurated the programme, said.