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NComputing, located in California, is a provider of low-priced computing solutions. The company has been selected to provide computer access to nearly 1.8 million students across Andhra Pradesh. This educational initiative would benefit students of nearly 5,000 schools. Andhra Pradesh would be contracting NComputing to provide nearly free IT education by creating low-cost computer labs in these schools. The AP government would benefit as these labs would use nearly 90% lesser electricity when compared to traditional computer labs.

These labs would also allow nearly seven users to share and work on one PC, simultaneously. The system would use Microsoft Windows Server operating system and Microsoft Office Suite. This is an excellent example of ground-breaking and resourceful outsourcing model. This model is being referred to as Build, Operate and Transfer or BOT — the provider installs, staffs and manages the lab.

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan has decided to set up centres of Gandhi Institution of Information Technology or the GIIT at Guwahati and Jorhat in Assam and other regional centres in Kohima, Agartala, Shillong and Gangtok. BVB already boasts of 30 GIITs all over the country and has become a recognised brand in the field of affordable IT education with its centres spread in Asia and even Europe.

This is being done as a part of an initiative to provide subsidised or free IT education to the students of north-eastern parts of India. These centres aim to provide three months of free IT education to the local youth in these regions in the beginning. The institutes are being funded by the Prime Minister’s Special Fund.

Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) have decided to provide online question bank and online test facility for its students. The database of question bank will be based on Higher Order Thinking System (HOTS) , a concept by Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to develop analytical and logic building skills of the students.

After the implementation of this scheme, students of KV’s will be able to assess their analytical skills by taking online tests of themselves. The automated test will randomly pick questions from the question bank and will present it to the student. A complete test report will also be generated after successful completion of the test.

This methodology of online tests will help students prepare better for various entrance examinations.