Question : COMPUTER LITERACY PROGRAMME IN SCHOOLS

(a) the existing computer literacy rate in the country, State-wise particularly in Uttar Pradesh;

(b) whether the computer literacy rate in each of the respective State is satisfactory;

(c) if not, measures taken by the Government to enhance the computer literacy rate in respective States and outcome thereof;

(d) whether the funds allotted under Information Communication Technologies Scheme for Computer Literacy Programme in schools to State Government was not: properly used and was withdrawn the Finance Ministry;

(e) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor; and

(f) the measures taken by the Government to implement the scheme properly in future?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRI M.A.A. FATMI)

(a) to (c) : The Department of Secondary & Higher Education does not maintain figures for computer literacy in the country.

(d) to (f) : The Department of Secondary & Higher Education had launched a revised Computer Literacy and Studies in Schools (CLASS) in 2001-02 to promote computer literacy in schools in the country. Under the revised CLASS Scheme, financial assistance has been provided to 19 States/UTs since 20012002, for covering 3112 Govt. and Govt. aided schools.

A new scheme titled `Information and Communication Technology (ICT) @ Schools`, has been introduced during 2004-05. The Revised CLASS scheme has been merged in the new ICT @ Schools scheme. Under the ICT @ Schools scheme, financial assistance would be released to the States/UTs for imparting computer education in Government and Government-aided Secondary and Sr. Secondary schools during the 10th Plan. Funds will be provided to States/UTs on the basis of Computer Education Plans submitted by the State Governments/UTs, which would be considered by the Project Monitoring and Evaluation Group

(PM & EG) headed by the Secretary (S&HE). PM & EG would also be responsible for ensuring the proper implementation of the scheme.