Like it or not, it may be compulsory

State education board debates on whether to make information technology a compulsory subject from its optional status

The State Board of Education conducted a workshop with the members of the board of studies and experts from the education department to discuss whether the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) subject should be made compulsory in schools for the class of 2012.

The three-day workshop ended on November 28. The members discussed the content and curriculum for ICT.
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The subject, which is included in the curriculum of Std IX and X (SSC Board), is optional, and the proposal is to make it compulsory.

Why it's needed

Fr Francis Swamy, a board member and principal of the Holy Family High School, Andheri, said, "There will be papers on both theory and practicals.

In rural areas, there are no computers and if we make it mandatory, the rural schools will have to arrange for both generators and desktops or laptops."

Swamy added that most students and schools fail to take the current optional course seriously, which is another reason why the course is being made compulsory.

Dinesh Tarthe, a parent whose child goes to a school in Andheri said, "I'm happy ICT may be made compulsory. It will certainly be beneficial for students in the long run."

Principals Say

IT's an optional subject for students in Std IX and X. Most of our students chose the subject as an option, but there's no harm if it's made compulsory because every child is tech-savvy and needs to upgrade his skills.u00a0
Rohit Bhatt, principal, Children's Academy, Kandivli

It's a good idea for the department to make ICT compulsory because a person without computer education is almost illiterate.
Najma Kazi, principal, Anjuman-I-Islam's Saif Tyabji Girls' High school and Jr College

Did you know?
Kerela is the only state where ICT is a compulsory subject