SED to introduce computer skills, awareness courses from Class 6 to 12

SRINAGAR: The School Education Department has decided to introduce computer skill and awareness courses from Classes 6th to 12th.

It also said that the course will be run on a pilot basis in 200 Higher Secondary Schools, High Schools, and Middle Schools identified by Project Director Samagra Shiksha and Chairman JKBOSE where ICT and Computer Labs have been established.

Principal Secretary, School Education Department, B K Singh has said that the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) has presented a proposal with regard to the introduction of computer-based courses from Class VI to XII.

“The content of the syllabus of the NIELIT— an autonomous scientific society under the administrative control of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology was examined by the JKBOSE to ascertain the feasibility for the introduction of these courses as per the syllabus framed by NIELIT in the existing curriculum of JKBOSE,” reads the order.

It also reads that the JKBOSE has recommended that the syllabi designed by NIELIT for Computer Skill and Awareness Courses from Classes 6-12 shall be adopted in totality except Chapter 6 of Class 6th titled ‘Understanding Financial Literacy and e-Governance Services’ as the same is also covered in Class 7th and 8th.

The order further reads that “In order to make the vocational education more job oriented and attractive, the proposal of the NIELIT was considered by the Department, in consultation with JKBOSE, JKSCERT and Samara Shiksha.”

It also said that the suggestion of JKBOSE for this course is required to be considered as a computer course as 5th Subject in Class 11th and 12th at par with computer science, IT, IP.

However, in the case of Classes 6th, 7th and 8th, it will be mandatory.

“Training of masters trainers by NILIET through SCERT shall start from August-01 and preference shall be given to lecturers of computer science and the evaluation shall be done by JKBOSE in consultation with NILIET and continuous up-gradation be done,” reads the order—(KNO)