School and Mass Education Minister Rabi Narayan Nanda on Friday informed Assembly that the State Government has decided to provide computer education as an optional subject in 4,000 high schools from next academic session.
Central assistance for this purpose has been made available, he said while replying to MlA Sanjeeb Sahu. He said computer will be included as an optional subject in all Government-run and aided high schools. This scheme will be implemented jointly by both State and Centre.
While the Centre will provide 75 per cent of fund, the State Government will provide the rest of the amount required for the scheme. The scheme has been approved by the Centre and will be implemented in two phases, Nanda stated.
Regarding imparting computer education, he said teachers will be given adequate training. A sum of Rs 52 crore has been provided to the Odisha Secondary Education Mission through the Directorate of Secondary Education, the Minister said. While 4,000 high schools will be included under the scheme in the first phase, permission has been given for launching two-year certificate course on computer science in 152 high schools sanctioned in 2011-12 academic year and 66 high schools sanctioned during 2012-13, Nanda replied. For implementation of the scheme, steps have been taken to provide computers to concerned high schools and infrastructure facilities, Nanda told the members.