Aditya Malaviya
BHOPAL: In a major step towards expanding computer-enabled education in rural
schools of Madhya Pradesh (MP), especially designed educational software
prepared under "Headstart" will be released by Dr Murli Monohar Joshi,
Union Human Resource Development Minister.
MP’s Chief Minister Digvijay Singh will make a presentation on the progress
of the "Headstart" program in last one year, at a function in the
Vidhan Sabha auditorium.
According to an official release here today, development of software by the
team of "Headstart" under Rajiv Gandhi Shiksha Mission was the first
major effort in the country for creating contextualised educational software in
Hindi for rural schools.
Before developing the software, mapping of "hard spots" in learning
was conducted and then multimedia-rich lessons were prepared for these
"hard spots" to support teachers in transacting lessons.
The software could be used in other Hindi speaking states also, the release
added.
The release stated that under the first phase of "Headstart", Rajiv
Gandhi Shiksha Mission had created facilities for computer-enabled education in
648 middle schools across the state. In the second phase, 5500 middle schools
would have facilities for computer-enabled education.
The middle schools chosen for "Headstart" were the ones from where
Jan Shiksha Kendras are functioning. One Jan Shiksha Kendra serves 8-10
villages. The middle school covered under "Headstart" are being given
three computers, a printer, UPS and educational software. The Shiksha Mission,
with the support of Bhoj University, would impart training to middle school
teachers in computer-enabled education. "Headstart" provides
interactive learning opportunities to children and promotes self-learning and
interrogation capabilities among them, the release stated, adding that children
of primary schools get an opportunity to become familiar with computers.
"Heastart" was so positioned as to enable Web-based learning as and
when connectivity was established.
Rajiv Gandhi Shiksha Mission also planned to open its software for purchase
by governments of Hindi speaking states and private schools.