2/08/2001

India: Educating Poor Children Through the Web

The unequal access to information technology between those living in rich and poor countries has long been recognised as a problem. It has been characterised as the 'digital divide' and it means that people in developing countries risk losing out on the knowledge revolution.

Learning through computers and the Internet is a cost-effective way of providing education at a distance. Now a World Bank subsidiary - the International Finance Corporation (IFC) - has joined forces with NIIT, India's largest and most reputable information technology education firm, to develop a pilot project that will develop Internet-based education for poor children living in India's urban slums and rural areas.

IFC is investing $1.6 million in the project, called 'Hole in the Wall.' This will encourage underprivileged children to learn from a web-based curriculum through Internet kiosks, which will be installed in more than 60 locations over the next three years. The aim is to improve education for poor children, ensuring equal access for girls and boys.

"The rapidly spreading use of the Internet in India is restricted to affluent urban areas, thereby creating a knowledge gap in society," said Mr. Pawar, Chairman of NIIT. "This project will broaden access to the Internet and provide education to children of all social classes."

NIIT recently conducted studies to determine if illiterate slum children could use the Internet without instruction. By giving them computer access, NIIT observed their rapid learning abilities and keen interest in gaining knowledge.

"Information technology has been an incredible instrument of change in India," added Mr. Bernard Pasquier, IFC's Director for South Asia. "The ability of children to learn with computers coupled with NIIT's success in computer education will help to eradicate illiteracy in India."

Founded in 1981, NIIT has trained 2 million Indians in computer skills, currently has about 2,300 education centres across the country, and has enrolled about 320,000 students. It is among the largest education and training organisations in the world and the third largest publicly-listed information technology company in India.