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Ambitious PMC-Nasscom venture aims to teach computer skills so kids can get help at home

It's no secret that the lack of basic literacy in parents, who send their wards to civic schools, has always been a stumbling block for the education of their children. Now, in a rather ambitious venture, the National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom) is partnering with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to impart digital lessons to these parents, so that they can better support the children.

Speaking to Mirror, PMC's education officer B K Dahiphale, said, "As part of the digital literacy mission programme, volunteers from Nasscom and its associated firms have been educating students on digital skills. The same skills will also be imparted to their parents."

However, a teacher from a PMCrun school felt the programme was rather overambitious. She said on condition of anonymity that a majority of parents from the slum areas lack even basic literacy. "So, if they are asked to come for digital literacy sessions, I am not sure there will be much footfall as they would not be able to muster the courage to attend," she said.

Ironically, Dahiphale said the objective behind the programme is to empower parents through basic digital literacy skills such as handling a computer, emails, using social networking platforms and so on. "If parents are digitally literate, they will be able to help their kids. Guidance at home will also mean kids can help their parents know more about the technology," he argued.

Not to be deterred by the critique, Dahiphale said the sessions are not compulsory, asserting, "The programme will also teach the parents how to fill out various online forms related to government schemes." Currently, various community halls and temples have been approached by the PMC to organise the sessions, so that regular school is not disturbed. But, if it that is not possible, sessions will be allowed in school premises after school hours.

Nasscom also seems pretty upbeat about the mission. Ganesh Natrajan, member of its chairman council, shared, "Nasscom is committed to work with PMC in sectors like sanitation, education, e-governance and digital literacy. And, as part of digital literacy, at least one person from each household will be empowered with digital skills. For that, we have been taking help from NGOs working in digital literacy programmes." Nasscom is conducting similar programmes in eight cities, where various firms have joined hands with respective civic bodies. As part of the venture, Natrajan said, Nasscom has already launched a digital literacy bus, which functions as a mobile digital literacy centre and is equipped with 16 computers.

Even though noted educationist Herambh Kulkarni said the idea of educating parents in digital skills is praiseworthy, he stressed that, basic literacy training is also crucial before taking the digital leap. "There is a need to inculcate reading habits among the parents, so that they can help children in their studies," he explained, adding that some lessons in mathematics and language would also stand them in good stead.

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Autor(en)/Author(s): Sandip Kolhatkar

Quelle/Source: Pune Mirror, 15.11.2015

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