Training in e-Jalakam to be extended to schools

The district panchayat, in association with IT@School, proposes to embark on an e-literacy project during the 2015-16 plan period.

As part of the project, IT@School project proposes to extend e-jalakam, a handbook on availing of e-governance services, to schools falling under the jurisdiction of the district panchayat.

Currently, the handbook is made available to students and their mothers in 80-odd schools within the Kochi Corporation limits.

Confirming the development, District Panchayat President Eldhose Kunnappillil said that the civic body had set apart funds for the proposed project. K.K. Abdul Rasheed, secretary, district panchayat, said that the handbook would be updated to include more services and rechristened before introducing in 60-odd high schools and higher secondary schools under the district panchayat.

The handbook predominantly gives an insight into e-governance services, including ways to apply for 23-odd government certificates.

“We plan to make available the handbook to students, teachers and parents of schools under the district panchayat. The aim is to ensure that students passing out of schools are capable of applying for important certificates without anyone’s help,” said Antony Joseph, district coordinator of IT@School.

IT@School plans to update the handbook with additional e-governance services before introducing it to students and parents of schools under the district panchayat. IT@School will deploy its master trainers to train IT coordinators in schools and to familiarise them with the handbook. A demonstration will also be held.

A video tutorial will also be prepared as part of the project. CDs prepared using screen capture software will be distributed among schools where the project will be implemented. These CDs will serve as reference on how to put the e-jalakam handbook to best use. IT@School authorities are set to hold discussions with the district panchayat president.

IT@School had earlier in the financial year held hardware clinics to repair the computer systems in schools under the district panchayat that had developed snags.