Last week higher secondary students from various schools were thrilled to get Lenovo laptops, given to them free by the government. While they promised to make best use of the technology that would in turn help them shape their future, there were a few who admitted that they would ‘also’ upload games on these machines.
“I am happy. I will save money which I would spend in cyber cafes for internet or uploading documents. Now I can afford to buy internet connectivity to use on this system,” a student of Don Bosco HSS told this reporter, after receiving the laptop from the hands of Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar in Panjim.
Another student, Kenjil, said he is “super excited” and confessed he would upload games besides study material on the computer. “I will make best use of this gadget. I won’t misuse it. But besides study notes, I will upload some games,” he said. His batch mate, who did not want to reveal his name, nodded vigorously in agreement.
The government has a target to distribute the laptops to 17,977 beneficiary students this year.
IT corporation Chairman Subhash Phaldesai also suggested that students use the laptops positively.
“This is the best opportunity to make use of the system. Getting a Lenovo laptop at such a reasonable price is a gift and we have to respect it,” said a student of Mushtifund HSS.
A section of the students opined that the government should have made facilities to offer internet or Wi-Fi facility as well.
The lap top scheme has its detractors too.
It was recently highlighted that in the last decade, since the scheme has been launched, laptops have not been used in the classrooms and the authorities did not have the opportunity to ask students to carry laptops to classrooms for studying purposes. Also, the laptops have almost always been given after the students pass out of the institutions.
Parsekar, a teacher by profession, had assured to rectify this and stated, “We are trying to give laptops to students before they pass their higher secondary, however, if there are delays, the heads of department should bring it to our notice.”
Schools say that they have indeed spoken to the government on the issue.
Review Bureau
