Asmita Polji
asmita@herald-goa.com
MAPUSA: Students who received laptops under the cyberage scheme are now selling them online for a higher price.
The government distributes laptops to the students on nominal rate of Rs 1,000, but the students are now selling these laptops online on OLX. Students have put up advertisements about the sale of laptop claiming that it’s a brand new seal pack laptop. Online the laptops are priced anywhere between Rs 7,000 and Rs 20,000.
Sources in the Department of Education assess that the cyberage laptops are sold mostly by students whose parents are financially sound.
When confronted a student who had offered his cyberage laptop for sale online, said that he already had two laptops and one Mac-book and he did not require the laptop given under the cyberage scheme.
Under the cyberage scheme, laptops are distributed without ascertaining whether a student needs the instrument or not.
Apparently, once the laptops are distributed, no authority keeps a check as to whether the students are making proper use of the laptops or misusing it by selling it illegally.
A teacher Panjikar said, “It’s wrong on the part of the students to sell laptops given for educational purpose. It’s happening because there is no proper check and supervision by the department. Once laptops are given, no authority keeps a check on the laptops. The authorities should keep a check as to whether the students are making best use of the same or they are misusing or selling it. The department has totally failed to monitor the cyberage scheme.”
Rony Fernandez, another teacher, said, “The authorities should keep a check on students who have received the laptops. The laptops are given to the students for educational purpose and not for selling. A body should be formed to monitor the distributed laptops and also check whether the laptops are being used by the students or being sold.”
When contacted, Education Director G P Bhat said, “So far, I have not received any complaint regarding sale of laptops. Once someone complains or if it comes to my notice, I will take action.”
