Academic help: Govt plans to set up 500 computer labs in schools

Rs1.5 billion approved to cover cost, says education dept official.

PESHAWAR: The K-P elementary and secondary education department plans to set up 500 computer laboratories in high schools and higher secondary schools.

Insiders familiar with the matter told The Express Tribune the department has sought insights and suggestions on the new scheme from IT professionals and educational institutes.

“The provincial government had established 339 IT labs worth Rs500 million in 2014-15,” the department’s chief planning officer, Idrees Azam, told The Express Tribune on Tuesday. “Since the project was successful, the government has planned to set up more labs in government high and higher secondary schools across the province.”

Open for all

According to Azam, the government has approved Rs1.5 billion to cover the cost of setting up the labs. He said the facility will be available for all teachers and students, including those pursuing PhD and MPhil programmes.



“The labs will remain open during school hours,” the chief planning officer said. “They will also remain open during the evenings and no fee will be charged for accessing these labs.”

According to details, there will be 16 computers in each laboratory.

The government will appoint teachers to help students access this facility.

“More IT teachers will also be appointed,” he said.

Catalyst for change

Senior Subject Specialist Salar Aslam Tariq lauded the initiative, saying it will serve as a catalyst of change insofar as the facility is properly utilised.

He added there are schools were computer laboratories are being used and the government has even appointed teachers for the subject on  contractual basis.

“Nowadays, computers are an important requirement for education,” he said. “Through this initiative, students and teachers will become computer-literate and will be able to use technology for constructive purposes.”

Tariq suggested teachers should be appointed on the basis of merit.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 19^th, 2015.