The Hindu : SSA offices to be networked

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Mar 18, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

SSA offices to be networked

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, MARCH. 17. All the offices of the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA) at the State, district and block levels are to be networked through computers, in a bid to streamline and expedite the project.

This was announced by the Minister for Education, Nalakath Sooppy, at a meeting of the State-level monitoring committee of the SSA held here today.

The meeting evaluated the progress in the implementation of the project in 2002-03 and 2003-04. In the first year, Central assistance to the tune of Rs.22.51 crores was received, in addition to the State's contribution of Rs.7.50 crores. Out of this, Rs.29.59 crores had been distributed among all the 14 districts of the State.

The participants of the meeting were informed that the grants thus received were utilised to provide infrastructure facilities in the schools as well as for training of teachers and supply of books to children, free of cost. The overall achievement for the year 2002-03 was estimated at 84 per cent. The emphasis has been on making the schools more student-friendly.

During the current financial year, 1,28,451 teachers have been provided training under the SSA project. Over 10,000 children in inaccessible areas are being taught at different levels in 461 centres.

More than 5,500 physically or intellectually challenged children or those with learning disabilities have been identified in medical camps held for the purpose and learning aids distributed to them at a cost of Rs. 44.45 lakhs. Steps have also been initiated to provide computer education to children.

To aid the evaluation process under the system of grading to be implemented soon in the State, guidelines have been prepared with regard to classes from one to seven. Audio- visual learning materials for the study of science subjects were also ready for distribution.

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