New Delhi: About 12,000 secondary schools across the country, mostly in backward regions, will be equipped with Information Communication Technology (ICT) facilities to provide training to students in the field.

Under ICT infrastructure, the schools will be provided a computer lab with at least 10 computer sets along with required software.

"This year 12,000 schools have been approved under the ICT scheme which aims to provide advanced information communication facilities to secondary schools mostly in backward blocks. The remaining secondary schools will be covered under the scheme during the 11th Plan," a senior HRD Ministry official told PTI.

Teachers training and Internet connectivity are also part of the scheme. The facility will be installed by identified service providers at these schools.

The service providers will be entrusted the job of imparting training to the teachers and will also develop e-content on certain subjects which can be used during teaching. Besides, every student will become computer literate through the programme.

The teachers can also use internet for self learning and updating their knowledge in different subjects.

The focus of the programme is to cover about 3400 backward blocks in the country after which it may be extended to other areas.

The plan allocation for ICT scheme under the 11th Plan is Rs 6,000 crore.
Source : PTI