January 21, 2006	Saturday	Zilhaj 20, 1426

KARACHI, Jan 20: The appointment of about 200 IT/computer teachers for selected schools and colleges is likely to be finalized in a month or two, said sources in the Sindh education department.

Under a plan named IT/Computer Education Programme, a scheme was launched in 2004 to establish 203 computer laboratories in all the districts of the province for the SSC-level students. The cost of three year project was estimated about two years back around Rs350 million and both the federal and the provincial governments had agreed to share the financial load equally.

However, things could not be directed adequately while only one year is left for the execution and completion of the project in question. As per the plan, the laboratories, along with teachers to be appointed would become the liability of the government in future, the source said.

It was learnt that 10 to 12 computer laboratories equipped with at least 12 computers and other accessories would be made functional in each district. A good number of IT/computer teachers were tested and found successful after some exercise about six months back, but appointments could not be completed as the chief minister asked for a second test of candidates, added the source.

When contacted the project director of the lab scheme, Ahmad Bakhsh Narijo, said that candidates selected after the first test had now been cleared by another testing agency as well and interview letters for the appointment of 203 teachers and 203 lab assistants would be issued in a month’s time, following which the competent candidates would be selected for job.

About the procurement of equipments, including computers, it was learnt that the process was prolonged as different committees constituted for the evaluation and procurement could not met in time. However, Mr Narijo, who has recently been posted as new project director said that tendering process, had already been observed and order for purchase would be placed soon.

He said that the project in question had been aimed to provide the opportunity of quality education in computers to the students of government schools as well. Students of Class X and above would be benefited through the project, he added.