Sacred TrustMonthly Updates

TIMES OF INDIA, 11/12/2011

Virtual School Computer Training Model for Rural Students: Presentation by S.Prashanth: Brief Proceedings of the Meeting held Trust’s office on 4th Dec.  2011

Present at the meeting were Dr.Vasudev, Vijaya Kumar, Narayana, Nagaraj, Manjunath, Vishwaradhya, Hari Shenoy and Prashanth

Vasudev updated the members of the ongoing activities of the Trust regarding the computer training programme for rural students in Kanakapura taluk.  He said, so far about 6000 students have become computer literates in Kanakapura taluk.  This figure is based on the year wise data maintained by Vijay Kumar and Narayana – our Trust‘s Computer Literacy Coordinators.  Currently there are 3 teachers (Narayana, Nagaraj & Manjunath).  They are looking after the training programme at 28 centres out of the total of 42 centres where SACRED Trust has been maintaining computers. These 42 centres are spread over Ramanagaram taluk, Magadi taluk besides the main focus Kanakapura taluk.

Prashanth gave an introduction to the Virtual School team which he has built up in the past one year.  He explained the role of each one of the team members. The team currently consists of 7 members and is working to build a larger group in the year 2012.  The gist of his presentation is given below:

Content of Training: The teams focus will be on supporting the training programme of the  Trust through sourcing of teaching methods and materials, resources and awareness.    The NEW TRAINING MODEL being developed is for students of 5th standard to 10th standard. The intention is to incrementally build on Computer awareness simultaneously with training in spoken English. Training to be based on activities & practice in every module.

Training of the 5th standard students on the lines of the NEW MODEL will begin from January 2012.  Preparatory training is planned between Jan-Mar 2012.  The Virtual School team will compile all materials & lesson plans required for the training.

Supporting Infrastructure: The Virtual School Team (VST) will help build and manage the communication channels via online media, email brochures & establishing contacts to support the trust initiatives.

A Facebook page has been created for posts & communication. Invites to be sent to all individuals involved in the Trust & the VST.

Supporting materials including books & videos will be collected and stored to assist rural students to build on their knowledge.

Awareness Programs: Additional awareness programs were discussed at the meeting.  The VST will visit/camp at the villages where the SACRED Trust is running computer training in order to create visibility and open form for the local youths and elders.

Vasudev sought the help of the members of the Virtual School Team for drawing the attention of the IT Corporate Giants and seeking their participation in the Trust’s aim of spreading computer literacy free of cost in Rural Karnataka.  Prashanth and his team members appreciated the dedicated efforts of the computer teachers Narayana, Nagaraju, Manjunath and the literacy coordinator Vijay Kumar.

Mass scale computer literacy in rural areas is bound to have a great beneficial impact on the future of our country.  Computer literacy will help in eradicating corruption, delays, reducing the interference of the greedy commission agents in marketing of farm produce, creating awareness in the farmers about the natural soil, water, minerals and forest resources surrounding every village in the country.  Computer literacy will expose the students for the variety and vastness of opportunities outside their village, taluk and district limits to pursue each of their interests in life. Computer literacy will help individuals in our villages think globally and act locally; hopefully it will also root out differences and divisions along the lines of caste and religion.

Some pictures taken at the meeting

TIMES OF INDIA, 7/12/2011

TIMES OF INDIA, 4/12/2011

Times of India, 4/12/2011

Times of India, 2/12/2011

8TH VACATION-SPECIFIC FREE COMPUTER TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR RURAL STUDENTS IN KANAKAPURA TALUK, RAMANAGARA DISTRICT:   APRIL-MAY 2011

VALEDICTORY FUNCTION
Venue: UGC Seminar Hall, Rural College, Kanakapura

Letter from Smt. Kalpana Mallikarjunegowda, President, Ramanagara Jilla Panchayat, Ramanagara

FREE COMPUTER TRAINING SUMMER HOLIDAY PROGRAMME FOR RURAL STUDENTS AT MEDAMARANAHALLI VILLAGE NEAR HAROHALLI, KANAKAPURA TALUK, APRIL-MAY 2011

Interaction with Mr.Deepak Belavadi and Shri Tushar Gandhi
on the relevance of Computer Education for Rural Development