On Thursday, I finally met with Anthony Lobo and Maj Gen B G Shively
(Retd) of the Tata Consultancy Services. I've been following their work in
the field of using computers to battle illiteracy for some time now,
actually since June 2000 when the story first emerged in the technical
press.
In brief, they use a software product of theirs to help just about anyone
teach adult illiterates to get access to 'functional literacy'. The focus
is on reading skills (so that anyone can read a few basic words, maybe
even simple newspaper headlines and signboards... rather than just being
able to sign one's name).
What is interesting is that TCS claims this program is 90% successful, and
can convert an adult into 'functionally literate' in just about 40 hours
of teach. What's more, anyone can teach -- since the computer does most of
the work, one doesn't need to be a skilled teacher. Each teacher can take
a number of classes without getting tired.
TCS is a commercial firm. But this is a free-of-cost software, which is
available to anyone without charge willing to implement it for community
benefit. There are no hidden costs. The lessons tie up with the programs
and books of the National Literacy Mission, and Indian attempt to fight
illiteracy nationwide. NLM's books are inexpensively priced, each costing
around five rupees or so...
As far as Goa goes, this is a 'high-literacy' state.
But, we really cannot afford to be complacent. Goa is
ranked fourth highest nationwide in terms of its
literacy achievements. But even regions like
Lakshadweep and parts of the North East, and of course,
Kerala too, have done better than Goa. We here have not
been able to touch the target of 100% literacy, despite
trying for some time. When one checked the National
Literacy Mission website (http://nlm.nic.in) it was
surprising to see that Goa has no 'state resource centre'
listed against its name.
Goa also needs to fight illiteracy. Every individual
in the state has the right to be able to live life
more fully. It only helps Goa if everyone here is
a productive individual, rather than an underperforming
person condemned to a life of poverty and lack of
opportunity. We also owe a responsibility to migrant
workers drawn into the state, and regardless of origins,
they deserve a chance to function at higher efficiency.
This helps them; and, of course, this helps Goa too.
In the context of the TCS software, we here have a number of tasks which
deserve to be undertaken. Goa Shipyard Ltd at Vasco is undertaking a
program on this front, thanks to a push from Sumita Pillai
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. Of tangential interest, the GSL had also
undertaken a campaign to fight alcoholism, when it was released that
workers from that unit were dying at alarming rates of upto one worker a
week from alcohol-related complications!
But apart from GSL, few others in Goa seem to be aware of the potential of
this software.
In addition, because of obvious constraints over resources, TCS currently
has only the software program in five languages -- Hindi, Marathi, Telugu,
Tamil and Bengali. Gujarati is being worked on. Kannada remains a
huge gap. Konkani, along with other uncovered languages, too deserves a
program of its own. The many protagonists of this language could surely
come forward to undertake some initiative (as also, another initiative
for making computing in Konkani a reality). Could institutions like TSKK
get involved to make this a reality? Does anyone know where the Konkani
primers brought out by the National Literacy Mission are available?
Can we call ourselves really independent till we have fought and conquered
illiteracy, poverty, malnutrition, bigotry and similar enemies?
If you know of anyone with an interest in education, please pass this on
to her/him. If you want a copy of the software, check out the contacts
below, or contact me.
Some links you might find useful:
Anthony Lobo, TCS, Air India Bldg, 10th Floor,
Nariman Point, Mumbai 400021 Tel 56689378
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Maj Gen B G Shively, AVSM (Retd)
Consulting Advisor, Tata Consultancy Services, Pune
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
National Literacy Mission (India) site
http://nlm.nic.in
http://www.tataliteracy.com
Site explaining the TCS idea of promoting
functional literacy through low-end computers.
If you have any ideas or suggestions on how such initiatives could be
further spread, do get back. FN
PS: On Friday Aug 15, the TCS team will be still in Goa, though
travelling. You could try to contact them c/o GSL officers' guest house
at Chicalim 2540671.
--
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Frederick Noronha (FN) | http://www.fredericknoronha.net
Freelance Journalist | http://www.bytesforall.org
http://goalinks.pitas.com | http://joingoanet.shorturl.com
http://linuxinindia.pitas.com | http://www.livejournal.com/users/goalinks
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