IT for all educational institutions by Oct — Minister

Agreeing that the programme would require a huge influx of funds, the Minister said he had several proposals up his sleeve. The Government, Walse-Patil said, is considering a possibility of inviting universities, which have fixed deposits of around Rs 150 to Rs 200 crore, to pool in money. “This could be added to a Government contribution which could set up a company and raise funds from the market to finance the projects in the colleges,” he said, “The colleges would have to return the finance and in case of default, would lose the Government grant.”

Suggesting colleges earn more money, the Minister suggested that research surveys required by various arms of the Government could be directed towards the educational institutes. “If the Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran needed a survey done, then they could approach a varsity rather than a private company. The revenue earned could go in upgrading the college facilities,” he asserted.

Enthused by the IT programme, the Minister also pointed out the need for educating the teachers. Citing the fifth pay commission recommendations, the Minister pointed out that teachers were required to work at least 40 hours per week. “Instead they have to put in only 16 hours in the classroom.” This time could be used to teach the teachers enabling them to teach IT and IT-enabled subjects.