New Delhi: The Government of India has permitted Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a software services and consulting company, to conduct adult education in the country through online mode.
A senior Human Resource Development ministry (HRD) official said that the Government had already discussed with the company regarding this issue and now, it is ready with the software to teach students who are above 15 years of age. TCS will teach adults through the modes of animation, graphics and by downloading teaching materials, from a dedicated website. He further indicated that online mode of education will help in reducing the demands of books along with hard teaching materials, which is considered as constraint in major areas of the country.
The flagship adult education programme named ‘Saakshar Bharat’ was commenced in September 2009, with the focus on female literacy. The programme will be regulated in 365 districts of the country, which have literacy level of below 50 per cent. The educational program aims to educate around 70 million people including minimum 85% of women. The scheme has already been going on in 167 districts across India, during the first week of April 2010.
HRD Ministry official further revealed that majority of the districts of the country will be covered within the span of three years and TCS will have to play a crucial role in the Government’s access of Internet in remote areas. The Government will use schools, students and volunteers to literate these 70 million people. He further added that announcement will be made in the near future, so that people can be benefited with online teaching mode as soon as possible.
By confirming the partnership with Government, Mir Azamat Ali (a project manager with TCS) appreciated the government’s endeavor in teaching illiterate people through online medium and said that the company is very much happy to help the government in this regard.
