AP CM asks IT giants to ensure computer literacy in schools

Hyderabad, Apr 24 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today exhorted the IT gaints to join hand with his Government to take computers to all the 10,000 Government Schools and make the State computer literate.

Inaugurating ''Digital Art Festival-2006'', a joint initiative of the State Government and the NIIT, Asia's largest IT trainer, he said presently computer learning in provided in about 1000 Government schools at a cost of Rs 45 crore.

Son of a watchman, 14-year-old U Appanna of the State Social Welfare Residential school in Srikakulam was adjusted first among over 500 entries from NIIT-trained students from 663 Government schools, including 200 residential schools, for digital depiction of Ramayana using paint brush.

Giving away the prizes, the Chief Minister underscored the importance of computer education for a rewarding career and said such competitions brought out innovation and creativity among students and moulded them to take up future challenges.

R Vani of Zilla Parishad Secondary Girls' School, Khammam and R Suvarna of State Social Welfare Residential School, Vizianagagram were adjudged second and third respectively by a Committee, comprising Artists Chandra of the Dr B R Ambedkar Open University and and Goli Sivarammay of the Central Institute of English and Foreign languages.

NIIT believed that computer education not only helped raise the standard of learning in school but also enhanced the performance level of students in other subjects, its Chief Operating Officer and Director P Rajendran said.

Over 1.71 lakh students are being trained by NIIT faculty in the 663 schools in 15 distrtics.

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