Community learning tech centres come up in AP

 To be implemented by the International Literacy Institute (ILI) at the University of Pennsylvania, US, and World Links, a Washington-based NGO, the programme has three major components.

 The programme starts with the establishment of community learning technology centres (CLTCs) to provide access to information resources that enable learning and acquisition of basic literacy as well as information and communications technology (ICT) skills.

 CLTCs are at present located in 18 secondary schools in Hyderabad rural, Rangareddy and Chittoor districts.

 The computers and other ICT infrastructure at these centres will be utilised for the benefit of the regular secondary school students and teachers during school hours.

 After the school hours, those living around the school without having the benefits of a formal education, will have access to the same.

 The BFI programme provides specialised training and ICT-based support materials to improve teaching quality.

 The programme will have a mutimedia software package geared towards both out-of-the-school youth who wish to return to school and adults who are seeking to expand their basic literacy and life skills.

 The software developed in Telugu combines literacy and numeracy instructions with the delivery of vital information on topics such as clean water, AIDS, nutrition and agriculture in a manner that is sensitive to the needs and interests of a low-literate audience.

 Hailing the launch of the programme, the chief minister, N Chandrababu Naidu said: