Pokhara, August 19

Prestigious Magsaysay Award winner and social activist Mahabir Pun today said that access to computer and the internet is an inevitable part of the nation-wide literacy campaign.

Speaking at a meeting of school head teachers organised in Pokhara today, activist Pun reiterated that technology-friendly education was the need of the hour. “People cannot be considered literate only because they can read and write.

Computer knowledge has become an integral part of education today and kids should have full access to new technologies,” he said.

“We need to take a remarkable leap in communication and technology. Use of computers and internet in schools is essential. Hence, all the head teachers of the schools should also be technology-friendly,” he added.

He also cited examples of United States of America, where teachers who are not computer literate are compelled to resign from their profession.

He said it is not tough to avail internet facility in Kaski schools. “It is obvious that two/four civilians can’t make internet available in the rural areas as it’d be too costly. Hence, the government should take initiatives to manage financial support for the same,” said Pun.

Pun, who plans to establish an ambitious National Invention Centre, said no country can develop and gain prosperity without the proper development of science and technology. He expressed his concerns about the government’s apathy towards tele communication facility in rural areas across the country.

Pun also informed that Rs 14 billion was stuck under Rural Tele Communication development Fund of Nepal Tele Communication Authority. “If the government utilises the huge sum to expand communication services in the rural areas, the country would witness huge progress in a short span,” he claimed.

“Supports are pouring in from national and international arena for the establishment of the invention centre that I have envisioned. I am intending to collect Rs 500 million for the same in a year,” he said.

Meanwhile, District Education Officer of Kaski, Rama Kanta Sharma, urged all the head teachers to use software to keep the records of students, and encourage necessary use of e-mail and internet and websites related to teaching and teaching materials.