K'taka gets Rs 24 cr grant for computer education

Taking note of the 'success achieved' in promoting computer education through schools, the Centre has sanctioned a Rs 24 crore grant to Karnataka for extending the programme to 500 more schools, state minister for primary and secondary education R Ramalinga Reddy said on Wednesday.

With this, 1,700 high schools will be covered under the 'Mahithi Sindhu' programme, he told reporters here.

The Centre has already released Rs 12 crore and the state was in the process of procuring computers for 76 schools in the 'most backward' districts and those identified in 202 educational blocks, Reddy said.

The term of the Mahithi Sindhu programme, launched five years ago and implemented by three agencies "" NIIT 700 schools, Aptec 250 and Educamp 50 ""will end this year, he said, adding fresh tenders have been given inviting firms to continue the programme in the state.

Chief minister N Dharam Singh has convened a meeting on December 27 to discuss the issue, he said.