Computer education takes back seat

BANGALORE: The city may be the IT capital of India. But the state of computer training to students in some BBMP schools is not at all good. There are computers in schools but no software. Also, there are no teachers to impart the computer training to students. This fact came to light during an inspection by MLA Derrick Fullinfaw, nominated under Anglo Indian quota. Fullinfaw has donated computers to 27 schools in and around Bangalore from his MLA’s fund with an idea of imparting computer education to less privileged children. While the computers are being extensively used in some aided educational institutions, the BBMP schools are not utilising this opportunity. The harsh reality is that computer teachers have not been paid salary since the last two months. Fullinfaw has given 10 computers each to 27 schools and has also allocated `6.5 lakh for development activities. On Tuesday, he inspected four schools and it came to light that  most of the BBMP schools do not have software for computers. The MLA had earlier approached the BBMP schools as he wanted to donate some computers. However, the authorities of the BBMP school in Austin Town did not turn up and the reason he got from them was that they did not have computer teacher. They appointed a new teacher on contract basis four months ago and the MLA donated computers. However, the teacher is now complaining that she is drawing a meagre salary. “I get `5,500 per month and I work  from 9 am to 3 pm. How am I suppose to run my family with this salary?” she questioned.When this was brought to the notice of Fullifaw, he promised to raise the question in the Assembly.  “I will ask Ramesh Raju, Chairman of the BBMP’s Standing Committee on Education to look into the 33 schools and 11 colleges which come under the corporation.”