Internet connectivity scheme for 10 schools

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI, JULY 21. The Schools Online (SOL) Internet Learning Centres have launched an internet connectivity scheme for 10 schools in the city as part of their South Asian Region (SAR) project connecting 2.6 million school children in six countries.

Ms. Lakshmi Pratury, Director, SAR Chapter, inaugurating the project at the Thiru-Vi-Ka Higher Secondary School, said the project's motto was `Connecting the world...one school at a time.' SOL, a non-profit organisation, was aimed at developing innovative learning models. The focus was on helping underserved schools in developing and emerging countries.

The fund base of $2.5 millions was raised from philanthropist institutions and individuals including the Nortel Network which gave $ one million. Out of 120 schools in six countries - Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan and India - India would have 10 computers, a scanner, a colour and black and white printer, LAN, ISP connection for one year as seed capital per school. INTEL would provide free training for teachers.

Out of 10 schools in the city, the project was launched in seven including General Cariappa HSS, St. Joseph HSS, T.V. Nagar Educational Society High School, Madras Progressive Union HSS, Madras Seva Sadan HSS, T.V.K. HSS and Vallal Sabapathy HSS. Three more schools would be identified shortly.

Students would learn to send e-mails. Each graduating student should create his own web page and should have collaborative projects with the other schools with the same connectivity on topics like air pollution or AIDS. At the end of each year, the school would make it a sustainable enterprise by charging a nominal fees from student and allowing schools from the neighbouring areas to use the facilities.

Dr. M. Anandakrishnan, former Vice-Chancellor of Anna University, said the facility could be used to train students on using the Internet so that on finishing school, they could acquire capabilities to earn a living. He appealed to the local industrialists to help schools.

Mr. R. Veeramani, Chairman, Gem Group of Companies, Mr. R. Chandrasekaran, co-ordinator, SOL, Chennai, and Mr. K. Sivanandam, headmaster, also spoke.

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