This traveling computer-classroom will reach 65,000 children in MP villages
In a step that would benefit over 65,000 children residing in Madhya Pradesh villages, a bus equipped with 20 computer systems and internet was flagged off on Saturday. The bus would travel till the remotest village and impart computer education to underprivileged children. Costing Rs. 1cr, the vehicle will also have solar panels installed to ensure a continuous supply of electricity for the systems.
Named 'World on Wheels', this bus gives push to Digital-India
State education minister Kunwar Vijay Shah, at the inauguration, said the bus "will play a major role in the Digital India program to impart education in rural areas." The vehicle, aptly titled 'World on Wheels', was presented to MP State Open School (MPSOS) Education Board by Hyderabad-based Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII), an autonomous body sponsored by IDBI Bank, IFCI, ICICI and SBI.
Villagers will also be able to update their Aadhaar cards
The mobile computer lab "will visit schools in the villages. Information transfer isn't possible without proper computer education," pointed out Shah. MPSOS Education Board director PR Tiwari said through this the villagers will also learn how to "update their Aadhaar cards". The bus will also have a large screen for video-conferencing, where "online bank transactions, besides health, agriculture and development," will be taught.
'More than 16,000 students will get computer education every year'
EDII's Dr Hanif Mewati said 40 more such buses will be supplied to MPSOS Education Board to promote digital literacy among schoolchildren in villages. "More than 16,000 students will get computer education every year as part of the four-year project," he said.