(a) whether the Government proposes to formulate a scheme for providing skype
computer programmes for free-teaching of children in rural areas in the country;
(b) If so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
(c) the time by which each village in the country is proposed to be provided the
facility of computer programmes and the amount of funds proposed to be allocated
for the said purpose?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (DR. D. PURANDESWARI)
(a) No, Sir.
(b) Skype is a tool/ medium of one-to-one communication with the help of
internet connectivity. The teacher, the curricular resources and the range of
teaching-learning materials are expected to play a facilitating role. This
Ministry provides infrastructural and other support to set up computer labs in schools.
Further, as an integral part of learning management systems (e-Gyan Kosh of Indira
Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) or sakshat of National Mission on
Education-Information Communication Technology) and as stand alone video lectures
(Indian Institute of Technology, Consortium for Educational Communication-University
Grants Commission and IGNOU) broadcast on Gyan Darshan and on the internet, the
technique of e-teaching has been explored.
(c) The unit of target for providing funds to build infrastructure and capacity for
computer labs at secondary stage under the Information Communication Technology in
School Scheme is the school and at primary stage under Sarve Shiksha Abhiyan it is
the District. Under the ICT in School Scheme an amount of Rs. 6.4 lakh (non recurring)
and Rs. 2.7 lakh (recurring) is provided per school at secondary stage. The
sharing pattern is 75:25 between Centre and State except for North East States
including Sikkim where the ratio is 90:10. Under Computer Aided Learning programme
an amount of Rs. 50 lakh is provided per District.