Computer education eludes govt school students in Mandya

Computer education and computer-based education is still a distant dream for the students of government schools in the district, as there are no trained teachers.

The government, which has supplied computers under ‘Mahiti Sindhu’ programme, has failed to appoint teachers, so, the machines are gathering dust.

Right from applying for jobs or for scholarships for students, everything has to be done online. With no trained teachers to impart training, the very purpose of the government has taken a beating.

In all, 299 schools of the district have been supplied with computers to train the children in computer skills. But, the computers worth crores of rupees are lying idle in the schools.

Initially, computers were distributed to 22 high schools in Mandya district. But, no computer classes are being conducted in these schools. In the second phase, the government supplied computers to 102 schools. It is said, a few schools have been conducting computer classes.

In the third phase, computers were supplied to 117 schools about four years ago. Though UPS, CPU, battery and other accessories were supplied, monitors were not supplied. Hence, these machines have turned useless.

When computer education was started under ‘Mahiti Sindhu’ scheme in the year 2001, the computer company itself had appointed teachers. But, after the contract period ended, the teachers left the schools.

The District Institute of Education and Training (DIET) had conducted computer training for headmasters, Science, Maths and Kannada teachers. However, a majority of the schools have not begun computer education. It is said that the teachers are already under pressure and additional computers classes would be a burden on them.

With the government is keen in implementing ‘learning through computers’ in the next five years, 58 teachers of the district were given computer training under ‘Technology Aided Learning Programme’.

However, Bharathi, Deputy Director, DIET, said, no additional teachers will be appointed to teach computers, but the existing teachers should manage the show. She said, currently one teacher from every school is provided training. It is being planned to give training to more teachers, so that it will not affect the students in case of transfers.

Theft cases

As the government schools face security problem, computers and peripherals theft cases have been reported in 24 schools. A few culprits, who were traced, had allegedly sold the machines.