Computer Literacy Programme(CLP) and Computer Aided Learning (CAL) Programme under SSA in Himachal Pradesh
An over view
Computer literacy Programme has been started in 282 Schools spread over all the districts in the State (apprx 17 to 29 schools per Distt). The Schools have been provided with 3 Computers, 2 UPS,1 Dot-matrix printer, 13 chairs, 3 computer tables and 1 Black Board. Where the enrolment in Classes 6th to 8th is above 100 one additional computer has been provided, two additional computers have been provided in the schools with enrolment above 200 & three additional computers have been provided where enrolment is above 300. Besides this Electrical cabling and earthing etc. has also been provided in all the schools. In addition to above Application/Operating Software like MS Windows XP (upgrade), MS Office -2003, MS Studio Dot Net and Encarta Encyclopedia have been provided to all the schools along with media.
The work of imparting functional computer Literacy to the upper primary students has been out sourced to M/s NIIT ltd. One Instructor per school and one Coordinator per district have been provided by the Company. The Company is also providing Courseware (Books in Hindi) as per curricula provided from SSA. Five teachers per school per year are being given functional computer training every year by the faculty appointed by NIIT. Sufficient Stationery and consumables are also being provided in all the schools.
The Project was inaugurated on 20th June 2005 at Government High School Himri, Shimla, by the Hon'ble CM. Assessment through informal examination has been carried out in all the schools. The results have indicated a lot of enthusiasm in the children and they are taking keen interest in the programme. The phenomenon is across the board however boys and girls in the remote schools are more keen. It has also been found that the staff and the public in general is supportive of the initiative and at many places additional facilities have been provided by the school and community to run the project smoothly.
The children are being motivated through E-Painting competitions to make them enthusiastic about the programme. Similarly toppers of the computer education are being honoured to create a sense of competition among the children.
NIIT has conducted Digital Art festival across all schools wherein almost 15,000 student's entries were received from across Himachal. These entries were judged by a panel of eminent judges in Shimla. All top 3 winners from every district were felicitated on 20th Feb.2007 by the honorable Chief Minister of the state. NIIT Mind Champion's Academy Programme was also launched in all the schools and free chess kits were distributed to all the 282 schools. Chess championships were conducted in the schools and the state topper was given an opportunity to play with Grand Master Vishwanathan Anand in Chennai during 2006-07. During 2007-08 session also, NIIT Mind Championship was held in all the schools & this time team events were conducted. The State Winner Team was felicitated by the Director, Elementary Education-cum-Mission Director (SSA).
During the year 2008-09 under CAL Programme M/s NIIT Ltd. organized a Natinal Level E-Painting competition from 5th to 10th Nov, 2008 for the students of Govt. schools. In this painting competition Master Love Kumar 8th class student of Govt.Sr.Sec.School Bihini in Distt. Mandi got the first prize. He was fecilitated in a "Digital Art Festival" on 23rd November, 2008 at Chennai by Grand Master Vishwanathan Anand.
Computer Aided Learning (CAL)
To improve the quality of teaching especially that of difficult subjects like Mathematics, EVS and English Computer Aided Learning Programme has been started in 282 schools in association with Azim Premji Foundation Bangalore with whom MOU has been signed. 25 Multi Media Content CDs developed by the Foundation have been mapped to the HP Board Syllabi and have been distributed in the schools free of cost. The CDs are interactive and enhance the grasping abilities of the children. The programme is implemented through subject teachers who are being provided training and guidelines for effective implementation.
Teacher Training through Intel.
In order to enhance the teaching skills of the teachers and equip them in using the modern technology in class room a teacher training programme in collaboration with "Intel" has been launched in the State. The Programme named "Intel teach" is a world wide programme of INTEL for training to teachers in how to use technology in class room teaching. Under the programme master trainers (MTs) are being trained by INTEL under intensive training of 10 days. Around 1600 (M.Ts) number of Teachers have already been covered throughout Himachal. The programme is being taken down in a cascade manner through these M.Ts who cover the teachers in the vicinity of their schools. Proper mechanism for evaluation of the programme has been provided for actual implementation in the schools and its impact afterwards.
Additional Coverage Under CAL
With the available funds under Computer Education for the year 2009-10 society was able to cover 320 additional schools under CAL. Every school has been provided with three computers, one multipurpose laser printer, 2 UPSs and furniture. In order to introduce the concept of Smart Classroom in these 320 schools, out of the three Computers being supplied in each school, one is with 32” LCD TV. As such, now 602 govt. schools are covered under CAL. All these schools are being provided a set of around 50 content CDs developed by NCERT New Delhi. These CDs cover some of the hard spots in different subjects as per the syllabus of classes 6th to 8th.
One computer Lab with N-Computing (Shared Computing) has been established in each DIET and SIEMAT for the purpose of teacher training on CAL. One Smart classroom is also being established with 40” LCD TV attached to a computer at each DIET and SIEMAT.
Out of the teacher training component, one TGT science from each of the new 320 schools identified for CAL is being trained at state level to take up CAL activities in the schools and use the Computers & LCD TV etc. in actual teaching.
Early Childhood Care & Education Centre (ECCE)
In Himachal Pradesh, the Early Childhood Education Programme is being implemented in convergence with Social Justice & Empowerment Department. In order to strengthen the pre-school activities, the state has taken a lead by making a linkage between ECCE and primary education by opening ICDS centres near the existing primary schools.
Following activities have been undertaken under this component:
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Development of Literature for strengthening ECCE .
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Making provisions for educational material and aids in ECCE Centres where in a list of pre-school kit has been developed and supplied to Social Justice & Empowerment Department.
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Trainings of functionaries and community groups for strengthening ECCE .
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A curriculum of training for Anganwari workers has been developed.
Master Trainers were trained in Pre-School activities at DIET level in convergence with ICDS.
A two days training programme was held at State Project Office Shimla in convergence with Department of Social Justice & Empowerment on 23-24th October,2009 for implementing pre-school activities in the State. In this workshop the main focus was on the following four aspects of child development.
1. Physical Development
2. Social Development
3. Intellectual Development
4. Esthetic sense or creativity development.
On all these aspects participants have advocated a range of activities.