The Hindu : Front Page : Move to bring poor children to mainstream

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, May 06, 2007
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Move to bring poor children to mainstream

T. Saravanan

Regional Centre for Art and Culture to conduct computer classes Regional Centre for Art and Culture to hold free computer courses

Those in the age group of 5 to 16 years to be benefitted National Bal Bhavan provides four computers

MADURAI: The Regional Centre for Art and Culture has planned to conduct free computer courses for children from poor economic background in the age group of 5 to 16 years.

According to its Assistant Director V. Jeyapal, the programme, organised through the Jawahar Bal Bhavan funded by National Bal Bhavan, will aim to improve the computer knowledge.

"In a fast moving world, which is witnessing a knowledge explosion, these hapless children should not be left behind. Our objective is to lift them up by a notch so that they can be part of the mainstream," he said.

However, the dates for the commencement of the programme had not been finalised yet, he said.

The department had sent a proposal to National Bal Bhavan to start similar programmes in other districts also, Mr. Jeyapal added.

Three different syllabi had already been received from the headquarters.

"The syllabus for children between 5 and 8 years of age is basic computer skills, which includes components of a computer, basic skills like colouring and painting. Children between 9 and 12 will be introduced to MS Office, how to open a document, MS Power Point and MS Excel. Those between 13 and 16 years will study advanced courses like C, C+, C++ and Visual Basic. These courses are devised keeping in mind that students should be ready for employment or start their own centres on completion of the courses," he said.

The National Bal Bhavan had sent four desk top computers for the purpose while the Regional Centre had been asked to make its own arrangement for teachers.

Faculty requuirements

"We have approached the Chief Educational Officer for faculty requirements and he has promised to provide the same," the Assistant Director said.

The class hours on working days would be from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. while on holidays and vacation period the whole day would be utilised, he said.

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