GUWAHATI, Sept 23 � From next year onwards, the State Government will provide computers and laptops to students who secure 50 per cent and above marks in the Board and Madrassa examinations, announced Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi at the Anundoram Barooah Award 2011 function at Sarusajai Sports Complex today.
Gogoi said the Government has all along given thrust to education and the Anundoram Barooah Award is one of the unique initiatives of the State Government in the field of education.
He said the scheme launched in 2005 is aimed at enhancing healthy competition among the student community and help them enrich their perception through the use of Information Technology.
Attributing education as a prime mover of society, Gogoi said, �Education can bring about significant changes in our lives and without which our lives would be in total darkness. It is through education all problems can be solved, including that of illiteracy, poverty and unemployment.�
Gogoi exhorted the students to work hard and contribute towards nation-building. He urged the students not to feel disheartened when confronted with failures but to put in every effort till they attain success.
Terming today�s age as that of Information Technology, Gogoi urged upon the students to acquire new knowledge which would give them the cutting edge in today�s cut-throat competition.
�Knowledge is power and you must acquire wealth of information which is available at the click of the mouse to keep yourself abreast of all the happenings taking place across the globe,� he said.
Dwelling at length on the slew of initiatives taken by the State Government in the education sector, Gogoi said, �We have already started the process of introducing new courses, especially towards skill development in our universities by tying up with universities and colleges like Oxford and Westminster, UK. After all, education has to be in tune with the times.�
Addressing the gathering, Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the unique scheme has brought about a sea change in the education firmament.
He said that the scheme would be further expanded from next year.
Sarma also said that the Government would provide thrust on vocational education by starting Higher Education Mission with 100 per cent assistance from the Government. He announced that the State Government would set up Indian Institute of Information Technology in Guwahati where more seats would be reserved for students of the State.
