OREANDA-NEWS. June 30, 2011. Enters into an agreement with ‘Hole-in-the-Wall Education’ (Hiwell), a joint venture of NIIT and International Finance Corporation (IFC)

Sets up ‘learning stations’ for a period of three years in three villages across two blocks

Community programme is the first of its kind in the state of Gujarat

Ahmedabad: In its endeavour to ‘empower the future generation through value-added computer-aided literacy’, Coastal Gujarat Power (CGPL), the subsidiary of Tata Power implementing the 4,000MW Ultra Mega Power Project at Mundra in Gujarat, has launched a unique initiative called ‘Project Sujaan’.

‘Project Sujaan’, has been implemented by CGPL through an agreement with ‘Hole–in-the-Wall Education’ (Hiwell), a joint venture of NIIT and the International Finance Corporation (part of the World Bank Group) to set up, operate and monitor the evaluation of the ‘learning stations’ for a period of three years.

In order to create an effective base for community development and the education backbone, an assessment of the community around the Mundra power project was undertaken. The course curriculum has been formulated keeping in mind the need for computer education among the schoolchildren and the prevailing level of computer literacy among the masses and its usage in their regular life.

'Project Sujaan' was launched during the Gujarat Government-sponsored ‘Kanya Kelavani Programme’ (A state government-sponsored programme to enrol the children in the formal education system). Learning kiosks have been implemented in three schools in three selected villages ie, Tunda and Vandh in Mundra block, and Nanabhadia in Mandvi block, Kutch district.

Speaking on the implementation of ‘Project Sujaan', Alok Kanagat, executive director, CGPL, said, "'Project Sujaan' is in continuation with our efforts to light up the lives of people around our project areas. We are certain that the enthusiasm witnessed among parents and the children will sustain and the project objectives to enhance the current levels of computer literacy amongst children will be met."

Prominent citizens from the region such as Anantbhai Dave, chairman, Narmada Jal Sichai Nigam, Government of Gujarat; Ramesh Maheshwari, local MLA, Mundra; Chayaben Gadhvi, vice president, District Panchayat; Girishbhai Cheda, an eminent social worker; Kirtibahi Rajgor, sarpanch, Tunda Vandh village; the education officer, GoG, from the block, and officers from Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan were present during the launch of 'Project Sujaan'.

These prominent citizens not only applauded the long-term vision of CGPL for the community development, but also acknowledged that the lack of such opportunities has been impacting the child’s holistic development in the region.

Salient features of 'Project Sujaan' are as follows:

Five 'learning stations' in four schools in the catchment villages of the project area will be set up.

These learning stations are much more than a rugged PC in an open playground setting and consist of innovations in hardware / software technology and cognitive design.

Mobilisation of the community will be undertaken through interaction and showing video and photographs thus creating a sense of ownership.

Selection of local champion amongst the school and community, for a single point contact with the learning stations and the service agency will be done.

Orientation programme for the teachers and the children to familiarise them with computer usage and troubleshooting, to make it foolproof, a guideline distribution of guidelines and manual among the beneficiaries will be done.

Evaluation of children viz achievement level in computer literacy, English, mathematics, social science and life skills will be done.

Ongoing monitoring and evaluation through remote monitoring system, tests on computer literacy, English and mathematics and life skills bi-annually to track the progress of the children will be done.

Finally a detailed analysis of the impact will be undertaken ie, the number of children affected, improvement of learning achievements, acquisition of computer literacy and awareness of critical community issues.

The enthusiasm among the schoolchildren and the acceptance of the community is the major highlight of the programme as children and their parents found new meaning to their educational lives and a platform to learn more about computers and ultimately leading them to excel in their studies.

Mr Cheda said, "This unique approach for computer learning is really appreciable and we must thank CGPL for their concern for education upliftment among the children."

Mr Dave said, "Really impressive and we expect that the learning from the programme will take the children to newer heights."

Adding further, Ms Gadhvi said, "Tata Power has always been a pioneer in many things and again this time the company has found out an innovative teaching learning methodology to reduce dropouts’ and we are proud to inaugurate the same, the first of its kind in Gujarat and that too from Kutch."