Reiterating his commitment to rejuvenate the State’s education system, Minister for Education, Naeem Akhtar Wednesday said conscious and concerted efforts are being made to introduce e-learning in schools in a big way. He said small beginnings have already been made in this direction, adding that there is also need to create e–environment in the State to increase and expand computer literacy and job-intensive knowledge.The Minister was speaking at a function organised in connection with the inauguration of Smart Classroom at National Institute of Electronic & Information Technology (NIELIT) here. The function was organised in connection with the celebration of ‘Digital India Week’.
Addressing a largely attended gathering, the Minister said that while there has been considerable and impressive development of human resource in ICT sector in the State, the infrastructure development has failed to keep the pace. He said requisite infrastructure development could have facilitated professionals to showcase their talent, earn livelihood and also contribute to the economic growth of the State.He said J&K is better suited environmentally and topographically for ventures in ICT. He said there is nothing in the said sector that could not be done here, which is monopolised by other states. He said there is need to develop ICT sector as an engine of modernisation, good governance and economic development in the State. The Minister said that personally, he felt motivated and driven to push for an IT Policy in the Government so that IT finds actual application in delivery of systems, facilities, amenities and services, and in introducing transparency in Government business, ensuring good governance and also as an independent economic activity.
Spelling out the schemes taken up in the School Education Department for enhancing digital/computer literacy, the Minister said that under RMSA, 200 schools across the State have been brought under ICT scheme for providing computer labs @ Rs 6.40 lakh per school, for which NIELIT will be providing assistance. He said, similarly under SSA 700 schools have already been provided systems for Computer Aided Learning (CAL).The Minister further said that under the National Digital Literacy Mission over 1 lakh youth shall be trained for basic IT skills and under the Electronic System Design Mission (ESDM), as many as 15000 youth are to be trained in various skill based courses.
Appreciating the role of NIELIT in the field of ICT, the Minister said that NIELIT has been in the forefront in the said field in the State over the last three decades, adding that it has done a ground-breaking job, and has come up as a hub and a real store of knowledge and upgradation of ICT skills. The Minister said that Education Department is working along with NIELIT, as a knowledge partner in the ICT sector and has also entered into a MoU with it.
The Minister said that in its effort to perk up the education system, Government is developing certain schools as model schools with all modern facilities, adding that provision of smart classes and computer labs forms an essential part of that endeavour.Earlier, Director NIELIT, in his welcome address gave an overview of various initiatives, projects and activities being carried out by the organization.
The Minister also went around the institution and took stock of the facilities being provided and projects taken up there. He also interacted with the students from various schools of the city who had come over for an ICT based quiz and computer typing competition as a part of ‘Digital India Week’ celebrations. The Minister also witnessed MCA Project Expo, where various IT based projects were put on display by the students of the institution.
Later, the Minister also gave away prizes among the winners of the competition and meritorious students of the institute. MD, SIDCO, Kifayat Rizvi, Director NIELIT, A. H. Moon and Joint Director, School Education, Kashmir, Syed Abid Rashid besides other officers, faculty and students were also present on the occasion.