Andhra Pradesh, Intel sign pact to train teachers

Monday, 02 September 2002, 19:30 IST   |    2 Comments
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HYDERABAD: Intel Corporation, the world's largest computer chipmaker, Friday signed an agreement with the Andhra Pradesh government to train 10,000 teachers in latest computer technologies. Andhra Pradesh chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Intel Corp's chief executive officer Craig Barrett, who is currently visiting India as part of his Asian region tour, signed a memorandum of understanding in this connection here. Under the programme, 10,000 teachers will be trained over the next 12 months on how to effectively integrate computing technology into the classroom. Teachers will be selected for training from 1,100 schools spread across the state. "The Intel Teach to the Future programme fully supports the government's commitment to increase technology literacy by providing teachers with necessary skills to help prepare today's students compete in an increasingly digital world," said an Intel statement. "India's future depends on developing a strong foundation of science and math education and on advancing the ability of students to compete in a world shaped by technology," Barrett said. "Intel is committed to supporting the government's technology literacy drive and expanding the Intel Teach to the Future programme to Andhra Pradesh. "These important steps will help India create a skilled workforce equipped to compete in a worldwide digital economy." The Intel CEO recalled that Intel Teach to the Future programme had trained 100,000 teachers in India, which represents almost half of the 215,000 teachers trained throughout Asia. The programme, launched in India in February 2000 and extended to 20 cities so far, is being accelerated to train another 100,000 teachers in India in the next 12 months. "These teachers will be able to effectively integrate computer technology into classrooms to improve student learning and achievement in all regions of the country," he explained. Barrett complimented Andhra Pradesh for its initiatives in the field of IT. "Andhra Pradesh is a leader in e-governance. It shows the ability of the government to lead in the country. "The e-governance initiatives not only improve administrative efficiency but also the efficiency and productivity of the people and businesses. "E-governance is a way of demonstrating the technological capabilities in IT and the e-readiness of a state or a country," he said. Chandrababu Naidu said: "Our relationship with Intel is yet another initiative of the state government in realising Vision-2020 which would narrow the digital divide. "After having set targets to achieve 100 percent literacy in the state by 2005, the next step is to impart computer education. Intel would enable in making the majority of teachers computer literate."
Source: IANS
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