Bengaluru: Taking its cue from Kerala, the state had decided to offer a computer training programme for students of government schools under an 'IT@School' scheme, and distribute laptops to at least a 1000 identified schools across Karnataka to accomplish this, Primary and Secondary Education Minister, Tanvir Sait, informed the Legislative Council here on Tuesday.
Replying to Mr Basavaraj Horatti of the Janata Dal (Secular) he said a team of officers had visited Kerala to study its 'IT@School" programme that had won accolades from the Union government.
He admitted the present computer training programme for school children in the state was flawed and to set things right headmasters and teachers were being specially trained in handling computers. Already 1600 teachers and 750 headmasters had received the training, he said.
The minister also admitted that schools, which had received computers, did not have tables, chairs and a UPS for them. “A number of schools don't have power supply and as a result the computers have become mere showpieces and are kept locked up in rooms. The education department is aware of these problems and is trying to address them. It will do an inventory of the computers in all government schools to help launch the ICT-III scheme,” he explained.
Mr Sait said an inquiry had been ordered into the supply of software by a company sub-contracted by KEONICS although this was not permitted under the agreement entered into with it. “ The company concerned has now claimed Rs 10 crore from the government. We have filed a case against it to reclaim the money,” he added.
