Free Computer Training for Underprivileged Children, Kolkata, West Bengal, India

Project Summary:

Background

In today’s world, knowing how to use a computer can be an important gateway to success. However, due to the high cost of attaining computer-related skills, computer education was largely inaccessible for many poor communities in West Bengal. In light of this, the Bengal Services Society (BSS), an NGO based in West Bengal, collaborated with the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) in 2003 to establish a free computer training center for underprivileged children using KMC-owned and under-utilized school.

Project Structure

The project was spearheaded by the public sector and an NGO, with contributions from a leading computer company. KMC provided the space for free, the NGO provided the training, and the computer company donated nine personal computers (PCs) to the school. These nine PCs were meant to be used by 18 students per session. Each session would last for 45 minutes and be held six days a week. The training would be open to all underprivileged children aged 10 to 14. Each child would be able to receive free training twice a week. The children would be awarded certificates upon completing the course.

Lessons Learned

The collaboration between KMC and BSS was innovative as it utilized an old and under-used public asset to deliver a much-needed project for children from economically-weak families. According to the last news from 2003, KMC was planning to initiate similar collaborations with other NGOs to revive 15 other under-utilized school buildings. However, no further information could be obtained from publicly available reports regarding the scaling up of the project by KMC.¹

Footnote 1: Case source(s): https://www. telegraphindia.com/ states/west-bengal/ computer-skills-free-forstreet- kids/cid/1086566