SSLC toppers get computers

More than 300 students from government schools received computers and cash prize from the State government on Wednesday for excelling in the SSLC examination held in April 2012.

The computers were distributed in an attempt to provide accessibility of internet and orientation to technology to students from economically weaker sections.

“The Internet will open a world of opportunities for students. Though the concept of Internet is not new, it has not reached many in the rural areas. This programme aims to help children update themselves,” said G Kumar Naik, Secretary, Department of primary and secondary education.

In all, the government has given 324 computers this year, including to 106 district-level toppers and 218 taluk-level toppers. The State government had allocated Rs 1.04 crore towards this. The desktops given to the students are preloaded with software, along with external speakers. Students also received a certificate of appreciation.

The government, for the first time, included sports and cultural activities along with excellence in academics. In the previous years, the State had identified toppers in academics in SSLC.

This year, students who excelled in cultural activities, science fair and sports were identified and rewarded with a cash prize of Rs 5,000.

As many as 28 students were identified for exhibiting extraordinary talent in co-curricular activities organised as part of the government’s Prathibha Karanji programme, six students for having performed well at the national-level science fair and 23 students who have taken part in national-level and State-level sports.

Speaking to reporters, one of the toppers Seema, a recipient of the desktop and currently studying in the Government PU College in Malleswaram, said her school did have computer classes.

But, since the teacher quit in between, students were not taught much about computers. Seema who has opted for PCMB wants to pursue medicine and hopes that she can make the best use of the desktop given to her.

Minister for Primary and Secondary Education Vishveshwara Hegde Kageri said the government was focusing on achieving 70 per cent results in PUC next year. This year, the State achieved its highest pass percentage ever in SSLC, with 70 per cent of the students clearing the exam.