Pitroda asks NE states to adopt modern educational skills

Shillong, Aug 23 (UNI) National Knowledge Commission (NKC) Chairman Sam Pitroda has asked all the North Eastern state governments to take advantage of the Centre's initiative to revamp the education system by adopting modern technology.

''We are thinking in terms of making a proposal to the Centre for creating special schemes for the region,'' Mr Pritoda said, while addressing the valedictory function of the third North East Education Minister's Conference held here via video conferencing.

The conference, which concluded yesterday, adopted a 12-point resolution with special attention to Information and Communication Technology (ICT)-based teaching-learning process and setting up of educational institutions in public-private-partnership (PPP) mode.

Despite the Centre allotting USD 65 million for human resources development in the current Five Year Plan, he said it is high time to make concerted efforts to utilise the centrally sponsored schemes and projects to the optimum level for overall development in the region.

''We have decided to emphasise on taking ICT-based school education to remote and inaccessible areas through 'Mobile ICT Unit', a specially outfitted van with computers and peripherals, portable VSAT and foldable furniture, appointment of only trained teachers and short-term training for the untrained serving teachers at National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE),'' Mizoram Education Minister Dr R Lalthangliana said.

Dr Lalthangliana, who is also the chairman of the northeast Education Ministers committee, said the Committee had decided to approach the Centre for relevant projects and funds for further academic growth of the North-East.

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