Introduction:

ICT Project is an integrated computer literacy & Computer Aided Learning program. 

In Punjab there are 13.2 lac students in 5,422 upper primary government schools. However, in 1st phase 1299 government schools with more than 300 students are covered under the project. Thus in the 1st phase 7.50 lacs students out of 13.2 lacs are being given computer education.

Under the computer literacy program upper primary students (class 6th to 12th) are imparted computer education based on CBSE/NCERT guidelines. After seven years of quality computer education, students would acquire sufficient competency to write programs in advance computer languages such as C++. Whereas Computer Aided learning program would provide interactive multi-media CDs to the students of primary and upper primary classes making learning a joyful experience.          

In 1299 schools, 1645 modern computer labs have been furnished. 18,223 computers including 1645 servers, 1645 printers have been installed and connected through LAN (local area network). 1645 Internet connections, one in each lab is being provided. Each lab is also provided with a battery bank with one hour back up.

Model

We have opted for a hybrid model.

a)                   Hardware, this includes computers, printers, UPS, networking.

In this model, government has purchased hardware on BOOT basis that means hardware would be supplied by a company on the lease of 5 years after which the ownership would be transferred to the government. During these five years company would also maintain the hardware assuring a minimum up time. The total Hardware cost is 76 Crores and State government would pay to the company on a half yearly basis.

b)                   Software for this project has been purchased on lease basis. Microsoft has projected cost @ Rs. 275 per Computer per year.

c)         Good quality of teachers is the most critical factor in computer education. They are selected and appointed by the Department itself on Contract basis and won’t be outsourced. Minimum two teachers are appointed in a School 1 MCA/BCA/BIT for theory classes, 1 PGDCA for practical classes.

Curriculum and Teaching Material.

Course curriculum would be based on NCERT /CBSE. Punjab school education board would also be consulted. Workbooks would be designed with the help of IT department and each student would be provided one workbook. Reference books would be provided to each school. Other recurring expenses such as stationery items would be met out of the PTA/AM funds available at the school level.

 Important parameters of the project:

To ensure good quality of computer education, it is essential to adopt high quality parameters. Some of the critical parameters are:

Student PC ratio – 2:1 (this is most critical parameter, it means only 2 students would sit on one computer)

Computer labs - in each school a modern computer lab has been furnished. Bigger schools have been provided with more than one lab. Maximum number of computer labs in a school are five.

Number of computers – good number of computers have been provided depending upon the student population. Minimum 9 computers with a printer have been installed. Bigger schools have more number of computers. Maximum number of computers in one school are 60 with 5 printers. In every lab computers are connected through LAN.

No. of classes – 2 practical and 2 theory classes per week.

Teachers – About 3,000 well qualified computer teachers have been appointed on contract basis. Most of the teachers are M.C.A/B.C.A. Minimum two teachers have been provided in each school. Bigger schools have more number of computer teachers depending upon the student population and No. of computer labs in the school.

Course Curriculum – Based on CBSE / NCERT guidelines.Special textbooks cum workbooks have been developed and given free to the students. Course content is based on CBSE/NCERT guidelines. Computer teachers are being provided with free reference books.

Following software has been purchased from Microsoft.

·         MS Office 2003 Professional.

·         Encarta Encyclopaedia

·         Visual Studio. Net 2003

·         Window XP Professional

·         MS Windows Server 2003.

·         SQL Server 2000 Standard Edition (to be purchased).

Internet- Each computer lab is provided with an Internet connection. BSNL is giving dial up connections at concession rates for the project.

Teacher training- Teacher training centers has been set up at each district to train not only these teachers appointed on contract but also other government teachers. Microsoft has set up these centers in DIETS free of cost.

Monitoring & supervision:

            For independent Monitoring & supervision of the project, government has a tie up with American India Foundation (AIF); a reputed NGO based in U.S.A. AIF will be providing 50 quality inspectors free of cost by July this year. They have also provided free infrastructure in 7 additional schools in Faridkot district to be covered under the ICT project.

ICT Society:

            To have an independent organizational structure to implement the ICT project government has constituted an ICT education society under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary. Principal Secretary School Education is the Vice chairperson and Director General School Education is the Chief Executive Officer of the project.

Computer Aided Learning (CAL):

ICT project also envisages an Interactive Computer Aided Learning Approach, wherein children can learn by play-way method making learning a joyful experience. In first phase three primary schools are attached with each ICT School. Thus, in first phase 1299 upper primary and 3897 primary Schools are covered under the CAL program. A total of 80 CDs are being developed under CAL. Developing partners of Punjab in CAL program are Bhoj University–Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), Azim Premji Foundation of WIPRO, Microsoft India Ltd. These institutions/companies are internationally acclaimed pioneers in the field of development of multimedia educational material. Azim Premji Foundation of WIPRO is giving 50 CDs for Primary classes free of cost that are being translated into Punjabi. For upper primary classes 10 CDs are developed by Bhoj-IGNOU and additional 20 CDs are given free of cost by the Microsoft.

            25 Educational Multimedia CDs for Primary and Upper Primary classes of government schools have been developed. Initially 3 subjects English, Science and Mathematics are taken to form part of these CDs. Each of these CDs is divided into three parts.  First part of CD contains conceptual details on various hard spots of syllabus in an innovative and interactive mode.  Second part of each CD is Beyond Curriculum Activities- a combination of various puzzles, pahelis and quiz activities to test Learning Achievements.  Finally, the third part of each CD comprises a Teacher’s Resource Bag.

Advantages of the ICT project:

The ICT project would not only bridge digital divide amongst the students of convent and government schools, but it would also help in enhancing teaching learning process which would increase enrolment in the government schools and check the drop out rate.

Website of PICTES : www.pictes.org