The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Giving a chance to the underprivileged

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Thursday, May 03, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Giving a chance to the underprivileged

Staff Reporter

A relatively new concept in Hyderabad, the IBM KidSmart programme aims at developing reading, cognitive and creative skills through computers

A WHOLE NEW WORLD: Students of Government Upper Primary School take part in the KidSmart Centre' programme on Wednesday. — PHOTO: K. RAMESH BABU

HYDERABAD: Six-year-old P. Rakesh, an inmate of Tagore's orphanage in Secunderabad, hardly ever got an opportunity to play and learn on a computer to his heart's content. Despite living in a metropolis, his impoverished background was a hurdle in realising his dreams.

A week ago, the orphanage inmates got the big break. The orphanage got a call from Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) officials whether it could participate in the `KidSmart Centre' programme of IBM and Satyam Foundation at the Government Boys Upper Primary School, Parklane, Secunderabad.

"I can do calculations, play games and many other things on the computer. They made me practice throughout this summer and even after the summer holidays. It was a dream for me to spend time with computers," a wide-eyed Rakesh says.

New concept

A relatively new concept in Hyderabad, IBM KidSmart programme, which was inaugurated on Monday in the primary school, aims at developing reading, cognitive and creative skills through computers. "We can do maths, English grammar, colour matching and even play games on the computer. There is a reading zone where we can read comics and children's books," says six-year-old P. Swathi. About 100 students drawn from various Government schools in Secunderabad, orphanages and private schools are learning in the new programme.

Range of activities

The programme designed by Satyam Foundation in association with SSA and IBM offers crafts corner, reading corner, writing corner and games corner apart from the basic computer training.

"This concept was introduced in five districts before bringing it to Hyderabad. We are looking at introducing this concept in other Government schools in the twin cities as well," said Director of Satyam Foundation, U. Balaji.

A similar programme has been introduced at the Government Girls High School, Ameerpet. Needy kids within one kilometre of these centres will be allowed to have access to these facilities.

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