Over 500 people recently applied for the position of computer operator under the XVth Finance Commission in Jharkhand’s Koderma district. Most had fancy degrees like B.Tech., BCA, Diploma and MCA. Yet, none could pass a basic computer test. Mr. Aditya Ranjan, the District Collector (DC), was completely taken aback by this. But, he didn’t lose sleep over the issue. Instead, he dug into the reasons for their computer illiteracy and started to train them in the fundamentals of computers.
NEED FOR DIGITAL LITERACY
Rural children are in an unfavourable position due to the online nature of all competitive exams, as all government programs are becoming MIS and mobile app driven. Cybercrime, cyber fraud, cyberbullying, and misuse of social media are the new challenges, with no course in mainstream education to tackle them.
The primary cause of this can be attributed to a lack of professors and teachers in government-run schools and colleges, which forced the faculty to finish the curriculum as quickly as possible without properly considering any practical knowledge and by concentrating only on theoretical fundamentals.
That’s why the Koderma district administration decided to train school students, government employees, public representatives, and other district residents in the fundamentals of computer and soft skills. The program was launched at the Collectorate campus under the auspices of the District e-Governance Society (DeGS).
“Digital literacy is the new form of literacy that has become more important now because kids these days hold a mobile phone way before they hold a book,” Mr Ranjan said.
DeGS TRAINING
On a pilot basis, he established a dedicated training centre in Koderma, equipped with 20 computers and two trained teachers. Over 300 people, from all age groups, enrolled in the course, which was conducted in 12 batches around the clock. The turnout was great because of which the officer decided to expand his project, to different parts of the district.
Today, he has opened eight training centres with 16 teachers and 160 computers. In less than a year, Koderma has built a digital army of nearly 15,000 people, including school children, ANMs, Anganwadi workers, school instructors, PRI members, SHG members, police officers, and others.
With this speed and quality of initiative, Koderma can be seen as the first district in India to fulfil our Prime Minister’s vision and National Cyber Security Policy by creating a massive digital armed force of 15,000 per year, as well as our National Skill Development Policy by establishing an enormous number of computer literate employable workforce.
FEATURES OF THE TRAINING
Under the DeGS training, a candidate receives seven weeks of basic computer training followed by one week of soft skills training, absolutely free of cost. The students only have to pay 100 Rs. registration fees to enrol in the courses. Four courses of basic DeGS training are provided to them.
Students who successfully complete a basic computer course are qualified for advanced computer courses, and so on. Along with digital literacy, soft skills, and typing training, participants receive weekly vocational and career coaching. There are no age or education requirements to enrol for these courses.
CERTIFICATES AND INCENTIVES
“We conduct an online test every Sunday, and after seven tests, one final test is conducted on an OMR sheet, to bring it into their habit, since most of the competitive examinations are conducted on OMR sheets. We then take out the average result of everyone, based on these eight tests. The highest scorer receives a certificate signed by me (Deputy Commissioner) and the second and third highest receive certificates signed by Deputy Development Commissioner,” the officer shared in an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds.
Other students, who score above 50% on all the tests, receive certificates from the e-district manager. Moreover, whoever completes the training with marks above 50% and 100% attendance, receives a complete refund of their registration fees.
According to the District Employment Office, about 1000 persons have already been hired in CSC, shops, local factories, and various other trades as a result of DeGS training.
President Draupadi Murmu on January 7, 2023, honoured the Koderma district administration with Digital India Award at a program held at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi for their excellent initiative.
