An excellent scheme

As rightly pointed out, providing laptops to students should start from class VI with necessary infrastructure, relevant syllabus and competent teaching staff. Emphasis should be made to teach not only software but hardware of the computer which will help repair and maintenance. To meet the expenditure, the Tamil Nadu Government can think of creating a “Computer Education Fund” eliciting generous contribution from corporate companies, philanthropists, financial institutions and general public. The central Government should also come forward to support the novel scheme with suitable grant. No doubt this scheme will reap rich dividends in the near future. Indeed a laudable scheme.

The proposal by CM to present laptops for the school students is a good gesture. The end use of such magnanimous intentions of the CM should be properly monitored. There are lot of sitting examples wherein the articles given for the deserved is either mis-used or sold. Hence it is in the interest of the student that the facility which has been given to them should be patronised and preserved for correct and timely use.

The benefited students said that The laptop will be helpful in my future Engineering study! School students have complete syllabus in their text book itself. But for the Engineering college students? They have to refer so many books. 1.Some references have to be download from Internet. 2.Prepare project work. 3.Presentation work. The Tamilnadu Government may give priority for Engineering students for getting free laptop.

The laptops were promised by both prominent parties in the recent election and the people have given the chance to Chief Minister Jayalalitha to give away the laptops. Though there may be many doubts on the efficacy of the scheme, if properly implemented, it will have the following bonus improvements in the life of the Tamil people. 1. Practical computer knowledge will improve employability of poor sections of the society as opposed to theoretical knowledge that can be forgotten. 2. The whole family can benefit from exposure to computers as even younger siblings can familiarize themselves with computers. 3. Use of online services of the government will reduce corruption at the lower levels of government. 4. It will encourage the government to completely computerize government services. 5. Immediate access to knowledge will lead to expertise in ones area of interest leading to better employability, better incomes and in turn to lower crime rate. 6. Tamil software will enrich the Tamil language as those comfortable in Tamil will publish articles, blogs etc. in Tamil. Overall fast paced development in the economy, government matters and socitey can be expected due to exposure to the outside world through the internet.

The good governance always returns good results. I do not doubt the up gradation of computer skills by providing laptops to middle class education student. We have seen many program-mes announced by previous govt's and also announcing by many govt's on various social reform sectors. The implementation part always matters most in every project's success. It might be govt sector, govt aided sector or private sector. The implementation, supervision, maintenance of each project with normal strong flexible feasible method will always provide you the good results. As per my opinion , the curriculum program announced by Tamilnadu govt in improving IT knowledge among students will be successful , if and when the program is implemented and supervised as per the core of the intention of results which was expected before implementing the project. Govt must ensure and be transparency in implementing and supervising such programmes will always yields good results in short or long period.

I agree with Mr. P.G. Ravikumar. We need to prioritize. Public funds should be used for basic needs of the people. Talking about schools, do they have proper toilet facilities? Proper playgrounds? The students travel to and fro home in safe and reasonable comfort? Are the teachers motivated with adequate income? Any limits on the no. of students in a class? Lap tops at subsidized cost (not totally free) may still be given to select few meritorious poor students.

The state of Tamil Naidu has come up with a noble plan to nurture the young minds of the state in information technology .Efforts of the head of the state in formalizing the noble cause is highly commendable. This effort by Miss Jayalalitha should fall in line with the "Education for all" law enacted by the central government. Success of both the plans lies in the diligent and honest efforts in their implementation. These efforts in education by both state and central governments would add more value to the conceptualization of a better India.Distributing laptops to all the students of government colleges would bare its fruits in the success of the state and country when in addition to providing a suitable infrastructure ,the required knowledge is also passed on to the students. The implementation and to provide right education for its use would be an uphill task for the government. A noble initiative coupled with honest implementation is the need of the time.

Tamilnadu has always been a front runner in schemes with fruitful long term economic as well as social benefits. The decision by the newly elected government in state should be a path setter for other states. Seeing the history of tamilnadu post 1990, it is of little doubt to say that tamilnadu has entered a vicious cycle of development.

Distributing free laptops may be a good step towards imparting literacy to all, but the decision seems politically motivated. At a time when Tamil Nadu is grappling with electricity woes, focus should be on spending money on improving the power situation in the state, rather than distributing freebies. The distribution of TV sets during DMK's rule or mixer grinders during current regime, only depicts the narrow vision of the politicians. It has been a history in Tamil Nadu that such moves have gone down well with the masses. But in the long term, spending on social schemes would reap more benefits than these political gimmicks.

It's good to take such kind of step for the improvement of students, but it must be taken into consideration that every coin has two aspects and it is hard to predict that will it be beneficial or not but one thing is sure that whether it will be good scheme for the poor students or not... but it will surely be very much advantageous for the greedy leaders as there will be one more chance for the politicians to swallow a considerable amount of money...

On the other day I was listening to NPR / BBC on the way to work. They were mentioning about laptop scheme. They said that this is the first of its kind... Good Luck to the students of Tamil Nadu... Thanks CM!!!

The idea of distributing free laptops to school going children deserves more criticism than appraisals. At school going age, students should focus on sports,extra curricular activities so as to build self-confidence and develop inter personal skills. They should not be worrying about loosing the laptops present in their bags. Instead of burdening children with such costly responsibilities,Government can set up digital libraries in all the schools.

This is not a right thing to provide laptop in this tender age. At this age students should be encouraged to use their brain power and not the side help. How such low end laptops will help with physics-chemistry-and mathematics and how it will be superior than traditional education so far in India. When i was a student, the PCs in the hostel were used to play games - watch movies - and used for programming only at the time of examination. Still the scene have not changed for MAJORITY. So, not too sure how others are expecting it to be beneficial for society and those young guns. Are not we playing with eye hazard, additional cost of repair, more of fashion than worthy use...not too sure if we can do CAD-CAM etc. Can someone, explain how in real sense it is going to help? or is it a game of US to directly damage the new brains of India by indulging in not-so-important-stuff to have.

State government investing 912 Crore, in Education Sector is really appreciable. Its high time and all states must consider it seriously, to furbish the education system. On one hand where HRD Kapil Sibbal has putforth the lunatic decision of replacing all engineering entrance exam, including JEE with single entrance exam, the step taken by Jailalitha seems really wise.

I fully agree with the views of Mr.Jay Ravi, as they will not value anything which comes as free.I do not know how can one jump to a firm conclusion that all students are willing to become a computer savvy. The better option would have been to pump money for creating better infra structure in Government Schools by good laboratories, Sanitary,and above all quality Teachers. Unless these things happen, no amount of High Tech freebies will actually improve the primary education scenario.

We truly appreciate a formal steps towards opening a new dimension in education field by providing free laptops to pupils of Tamil Nadu. We could enhance the very step by making the campus wi-fi.such welfare steps must be open in northern states also. Its a great step towards the RIGHT TO EDUCATION.

I too think that it is too early to claim the positive spin offs of this move by the government. As for brownie points at the cost of tax payer, yes the move will achieve something.

The laptop costs around 10 to 20 thousand. The free laptops should given to students who are economically backward and studying in Government institutions.

Your encomium for Tamil Nadu is welcome. Tamil Nadu's scheme is in cosonance with the contemporary profile of the timeline. Conventional literates are fast turning semi-literates, as prognosticated by Alwyn Toffler, thanks to the invasive diffusion of cyber education. Our educational system shall lag behind if we fail to initiate such pioneering initiatives as the ones Tamil Nadu has ventured to introduce. The laudable scheme is worth emulating by other States as well.

Your article, An Excellent Scheme ,was a good to read. The recent distribution of Laptops to Students of Govt and other Colleges was really a Good gesture from the TamilNad Govt.Today Information Technology is playing a vital role, in all areas. This will help the students, to develop their career in the future. Instead of Distributing T.V ,this is really a worth cause.

While this scheme may have its share of cynics, the important thing is to acknowledge the visionary goal of providing free laptops. Most engineering colleges now demand laptops as a prerequisite to attend classes so I hope the children benefit from this scheme.

The free Laptop distribution program should be supplemented with increased quality of training of teacher's in IT.
The academic curriculum should be revitalized to suit the modern requirements. Open source initiative (free software) should be encouraged to solve the issue of software.

Jayalalitha has come out with a significant initiative. But in the situation when IT industry is passing through a low time, and the employment opprtunities in US, UK or even in India are curtailed, the question of use of IT knowledge is prudent. The call of today is not just to bring a boom in IT or computer knowledge but at the primary level. Had 912 Crores spent to raise the standard of primary education, it could have been a great boost to the education system.

Chief Minister Jayalalithaa deserves accolades for her laudable scheme of free laptops to students from the Higher Secondary level to Professional courses in the Government Institutions.Oflate,we find students from Government institutions coming out in flying colours in their finals despite lacking access to well equipped labs or adequate number of computers against the best facilities their peers enjoy from their well equipped private institutions.Under the circumstances,the release of Laptops to such students is definitely a boon to them.
Just the heoretical knowledge without any practical indulgence can never make anyone an expert in his field of study,particularly Computer Science. The best example is my smart and highly intelligent grandson,just six in age who very often comes to my rescue and wriggles me out of the technical problems I face while using my laptop thanks to the practical experience he has gained playing with the laptop of his father,a computer professional himself!

The country needs good governance not gimmicks. Politicians are free with public money.

It is really a good move to spend 912 crores for this cause. I would say this is an investment for future. The Government, no doubt would hav have done its due diligence. Must ensure transparency in awarding the tender (It should be a MIX of atleast three vendors with international experience (So that there is no monopoly), Standard specification with all required OS, Enablement software, Microsoft Office, Self Troubleshooting for minor glitches, three years complete Warranty/support/Replacement, Data backup Facility( There should be common hubs based on the location/Town/City/School), 24hr Support hotline, Antivirus, SPAMWARE, Siteblockers to forbidden sites (which should be accessible only by Parents/guardians), Laptop Locks (to keep them secure), and finally a method to recycle the electronic junk created due to this mammoth exercise. Since it is targetting Class XII students also, there should be mechanism to return the laptop in good condition once they finish class XII for reuse

Once a student got a laptop, for utilizing it internet connection and softwares are required but again they are costly and most of the students covering under this scheme may not effort. So instead of providing free laptops to students, well equipped computer centers should be established and students should encourage to undergo training. Moreover government should encourage students to concentrate more on science subjects and develop more infrastructure related to research oriented stuff.

I appreciate The Hindu has rightly commended the State's initiative to provide free laptops to students in the State-run/aided educational institutions. This will spread & improve the use of computers by students for improving their knowledge/performance. It is hoped that Education dept will impress upon the teaching faculty & parents to keep a watch on the students & guide them in proper use of the facility. In this regard, I wish to add that it would do lot of good if the State Govt also motivates its students to learn the national language for better connectivity with the rest of the country by offering incentives. There, unfortunately, exists a feeling in northern India that due to TN Govt's anti-Hindi stand, majority of those employed, particularly in IT sector,do not converse with their counterparts in Hindi & some of them feel shy even to talk in English.
I wish the present Govt will address this aspect & bridge the gap.
After all education does not mean only in qualification.

Don't know why any politician do not focus on developing the level of education imparted, though the step is appreciated but from where they would get a good teacher having sound knowledge in computers. What the need of hour is not to give things free and involve in political gimmick but to think how to improve the level of primary education by having good faculty in schools. Well someday the bubble will burst!!!

A school district in New York scrapped the program of giving laptops to students because, "After seven years, there was literally no evidence it had any impact on student achievement—none. ... It’s a distraction to the educational process." Instead, widespread abuse was prevalent. The average standard of many NY public schools is far higher than the govt. schools here; yet there the laptop scheme failed. To imagine that a laptops will magically lift standards is naive. The scheme will not only not bring any benefit, but positively hurt in the misuse it will facilitate such as internet addiction (a very serious but under-recognized problem).
The 1000 crores will be much better spent on teacher training, providing badly needed basic infrastructure, and increasing teacher salaries to attract good candidates. Framing good syllabi, inculcating problem-solving skills, and having exams that challenge the students are what will really improve standards, not free laptops.

We hope that our newspaper is not under any pressure to be on the right side of amma, as the editorial seems to rather hastily written or want to be the first one in the race to catch Amma's attention.
On the one hand, NDTV runs a campaign to provide clean drinking water and sanitation facilties in schools across the country, mainly govt and aided schools and also kept reminding the viewers that it is primarily the responsibility of the state govts to do the needful, we find that on the other hand, there is a rush to provide lap tops without bothering about the condition, environment of the schools campus and the facilities given to students.
Even in the so called, popular public schools, the management openly advocate their students to bring water from their homes.
Let the priorities be sorted out first before embarking on populist agenda.

I like to share some points.
1. Government and other authorities, teachers and parents should be able to implement and execute the proper and constructive use of these laptops.
2. The maintenance of these laptops should be ensured and it is going to be an issue.
3. Students should be trained well for making efficient use of these systems, other wise it is going to be a waste of effort and money. There is chance for misuse.
4. Using open source operating systems and softwares will be advantageous in terms of technology and financial burden.

it is to good for tamilandu students due to the time of technolgy therefore, knowledge about computeris must. If this scheme reached to all students.

The improvement in educational infrastructure, timely financial assistance along with adequate number of "well-trained" teachers will really push literacy rates to higher percentage and reduce the school dropouts. What we need is a multi-dimensional approach.
One would want to know how these laptops help in improving the standard of education across Tamilnadu. Apart from these, the TN govt should consider about re-introducing 'Entrance exams' for higher educations which was removed during the last regime. TN state board has lost its quality when compared to the other state boards, CBSE, ICSE and others as there is more emphasis on 'testing memory power' than 'thinking / applying of concepts'.

Providing computer laptop to all students is in voguein all the western countries and Tamilnad govt initiation for development of computer learning culture will surely improve their over all HI QUE.
And at the same time,there are otherside of misuse of laptop by sometype of children,which is not good for their furthr education. And their parents have to ensure that their sons and daughters make use of laptop well to their studies as well.
Govt of Tamilnad also to ensure that they get good product of laptop duly manaufactued in large numbers in lacs.

I appreciate the effort of the scheme probably the first of its kind in India. I think at the same time government has to focus on training the teachers/lecturers adequately to guide the students, in fact each of the teacher and lecturer should also get a laptop for their learning.
At the same time I join the section of community which criticizes the freebies. These laptops should have been granted to the respective school/colleges for each roll number. This would have helped controlling drop outs too.

However, since it is related to EDUCATION sector which needs the boost in India, good to do any kind of experiment.

Providing computer education and making it a compulsory subject is a very good idea indeed. But instead of providing free laptops to students new computer centers should be opened where free computer education can be provided to students.This can be done by appointing good computer instructors by giving them good incentives. This will be helpful in promoting computers in rural ares. This will save the money for utilization in other welfare schemes.

Amma deserves high praise for her novel idea of free laptops to students.Educational institutions in Western countries cannot boast of such a scheme from their state/national governments.All the best,AMMA.

I think the editorial is jumping the gun too early. The effect of 'free laptops' has to be seen over a long period of time, at least a decade or so. Unlike free TVs or grinders, which are aimed at bridging the gap between rich and poor, free laptops are looked from the perspective of EDUCATION and obviously laptop needs to be connected. Whether people can afford internet connectivity, software updates (many of which are not free!) etc, not to forget the technological and software advances which could make a laptop released two months ago obsolete, remains to be seen. Being optimistic is one thing, but being pragmatic is another thing altogether.

Its a commendable effort by TN's govt,which should lead them towards quality education in govt institutions. The objective shouldn't confine to include comp.sci into syllabus,but they can think abt e-learning methodologies too.. Other wise we may end up creating students inclined to IT, ignoring basic sciences.

i congratulate the TN govt. on its initiative in offering free laptops etc. to students.
this will certainly revolutionize software development in the country.
i wish equal emphasis is laid on development of computer hardware as well.
SJ from Bangalore.

Tamilnadu Chief Minister deserves all accolades for introducing this timely and laudable scheme to provide laptops to students from higher secondary to university levels in Government/Government aided educational institutions.There is no doubt that practical knowledge coupled with theoretical infusion would only help the students acquire the expertise in full.They would also be able to present their innovative skills and inborn talents with the aid of their laptops,the most valuable invention of mankind.
I am able to realise this gesture of Jayalalithaa as a great boon to the students, as I have,to my great surprise,awe heher and jubilation been guided on many occasions by my smart and highly intelligent and tech-savvy our Anna grandson who is just six years old whenever I struggle to wriggle out of some technical problems encountered by me while on my laptop,thanks to the skill acquired having access to the laptop of his dad,a computer professional himself!

This is really an commendable initiative taken up by the State Government. It should also think, in future, about distributing free internet connections to students residing in rural areas. This will certainly help those bright students, who could not study due to lack of resources and, it will also boost the Government's plan for Distant education.

Providing Lap -top to students is a laudable scheme. Care should be taken to procure quality laptops from reliable manufacturers and a possible scam in procuring and its distribution should be avoided by careful monitoring At periodical intervals a review should be undertaken to see the working of the scheme,its usefulness and whether any any modification is required based on the feed back. It is presumed the students will make proper use of this facility and ensure they keep and handle the laptops carefully. It is also necessary that the students who are new to this facility are trained adequately by qualified staff to make the scheme a success.We know some students misuse the computer and this should be prevented.The undesirable site in computer channels are to be kept beyond the reach of the students. Hats of to the Government for this well thought assistance and also to the HINDU for a timely editorial highlighting the scheme. We wish the scheme a grand success

Your article,An Excellent Scheme ,was a good to read. The recent distribution of Laptops to Students of Govt and other Colleges was really a Good gesture from the TamilNad Govt.Today Information Technology is playing a vital roll ,in all areas. This will help the Students ,to develop their career in the future. Instead of Distributing T.V ,this is really a worth cause.

Could not agree more with your editorial. When MGR introduced noon meal scheme across the state there were sly comments.25 years from then Tamilnadu has been highly literate and Tamil students are spread across all over the globe in high end technology. Praise when due should be given in full measure. Well done CM.
Even the free cow and Goat scheme is a path breaking iniative in creating avenue for white revolution.

Tamil Nadu can forge ahead by introducing computer science immediately after primary school, says the editorial based on what Eric Schmidt, chairman of Google is reported to have said. Computer science is highly mathematical and teaching that subject in schools will be to unnecessarily burden school children. In any case, writing application software, which is the main output of the IT industry, doesn't require knowledge of higher level mathematics or computer science. What is basically needed is more than ordinary level of intelligence and an analytical mind.

This laudable step of Tamil Nadu govt. must also be followed by every state.Tamil Nadu has been the first state in taking necessary initiatives for things like mandatory rain water harvesting, mid day meal and now giving them the complete world in a nutshell -'the laptops'.
Another necessary initiative for syllabus designers must be to aquaint the learners with the basic structure and functions of computer before going into the high level concepts of programming and networking.

While providing laptops to students is a welcome development, one would like to know if there is any effort to provide high speed internet connection to the schools where these will be used. When hundreds of students use the laptops simultaneously, without such connection the latops will be useless. Another aspect that needs attention is the bunch of software that will be preloaded (including antivirus software).

Tamilnadu has a unique distinction of doing 'firsts' starting from the 'noon-meal' scheme for school children many years ago which other states followed suit. There is no wonder the State has started another pioneering scheme which is relevant to day, namely distributing free laptops in school.Yet another incentive,in the pipeline,in the form of cash payment is also welcome. All these social welfare measures will speak high of the Govt's intention to make the schools savvy to modern tools for computerised education. And generally, Tamilnadu has an edge over in students' discipline vis a vis other states .Invariably the teachers & private managements are "law-abiding" and no doubt such an environment will pave way for quick & effective implementation of the well-intended Govt. schemes. Nonetheless, considering the huge Govt's money involved in the project it is customary to have an exercise done by the statutory auditors,on the propriety of the annual expenditure!

Feel good ! Tamilnadu government's step is laudable and other state government must follow to boost the educational system of India. Computer literate is literate in the era of internet and information technology. All state government s

Though a laudable freebie scheme there should be a provision for repayment of the cost of the laptop by the recepient in the same manner as education loan provided by Nationalised banks within a reasonable period. The recepients will then only realise the worth ot the freebie gesture and ensure proper maintenance of the laptop given for equipping them for acquiring knowledge.

I am afraid emphasis is being placed on providing a borrowed brain instead of on developing one's one brain. Does providing an electronic calculator make the students better mathematicians? Thanks to the blind use of calculators over nearly 40 years the incentive and the ability to do even simple calculations has fallen steeply down. Do not get me wrong. I own nearly 50 ( fifty ) scientific calculators to play with but bereft of them I can still calculate. I still keep in reserve two copies of Clark Tables with Logarithmic tables in case of exigencies and I am capable of calculating using them. I am not unique and any old timer can do what I do. I dare say calculators and Computers should not be given to young students. To quote Albert Einstein, " Imagination is more important than knowledge ". Spare the imagination thanks to ready made borrowed brains in the name of computers and spoil the students.

It's not a good idea.
Govt could provide desktops to school instead for the following reasons.
1. Children unsupervised could access pornography
2. If there are any repairs or maintenance school authorities would be in a better position to provide support.
3. Low cost laptops allow only browsing Internet and doesn't allow real computing
4. Transporting laptops to school and back home is not easy. I own office laptop, and I have broken it thrice due to travel

Steps taken by tamilnadu government in education part is admirable which will be result in motivation towards schooling & colleges(for higher studies). Such schemes & aide's will encourage the poor & needy families towards the education. These efforts must be accepted by all states so that school dropout rates will be decreased. We thankful for Tamilnadu government given a cue to beam the education system.

As some wise person stated -- the means employed to achieve one's objectives are more important than the objectives themselves. In this case of computer freebies, it is a moot question of whether the final objective is to open a “whole new world of knowledge-based opportunities to a generation of students ....job market", especially with severe power cuts. One wonders whether the current overlay of nearly Rs 1000 crores could be better utilized to improve power infrastructure. The objective of this antic is to buy votes (and souls) with public money. If the government had students’ welfare in mind, it would have linked the distribution of laptops with display of merit and superior performance by deserving students. This free distribution will bring all the students to the lowest common denominator of performance. It is a pity that the real-life adverse ramifications of such freebies have not been mentioned in the editorial.

Undoubtedly a noble initiative undertaken by Tamil Nadu government for providing the much needed impulse to lure students to carry on with their higher studies; this is a long term investment which will be reflected in perspective with country's advancement in time to come. It’ll also provide the much needed fillip to dwindling R&D resources.
But the most important is to walk the talk. Much is talked about in air but in grounds reality implementation is near to cipher.