Question 8

Part A – Computer Training in Kerala

I am here to tell you about an exciting new project, which is equipping rural areas in India with hi-tech facilities
enabling everyone to have access to the Internet.

Let's take Chamravattom, a beautiful coastal village in the state of Kerala surrounded by coconut palms and
paddy fields. 850 families live here, and now each one of them is being trained to use computers and to ‘surf’
the Internet for information, which will help in their lives and businesses. This project is the vision of our
government and has been hugely successful so far.

People are very grateful for this computer project. Indeed, for those who have had no proper schooling it is a
chance to learn. Another advantage is that the training is funded by the government and so is completely free
to participants. The aim is that within two years the whole of Kerala will have had this IT opportunity and will
be able to use computers to help them in their daily lives.

When people come to us to learn about computers, we first spend some time on the local language and then
teach them how to compose text, use the internet, send e-mail, create and edit pictures and even make
telephone calls using the internet. We're also preparing information to help with local needs, covering farming,
health, energy management, careers and animal husbandry. This will all be put onto the internet so that
everybody can be informed. Already, information on the weather, English language teaching programmes and
information for farmers about new seeds and techniques are all available. Eventually, we're going to access
information from local government on-line − pensions and birth registration, for example. One local farmer has
had the idea of growing herbs for a type of medicine used in the area. He has publicised details on-line and
joined up with other farmers through the internet as part of the same enterprise.

The best advantage of this system, though, is that it brings families closer together, especially those who have
a member working away from home − now they can keep in touch easily. **
Part B - Edmonds Use of Computers

Mrs Chan: [calling out] Edmond! Edmond! Where are you? Your dinner is on the table, going cold.
Edmond: [replying from another room] I’ll be right there Mum, I am … eer … just finishing up some school
work.
Mr Chan: [calling out] Edmond, you’ll do as you’re told, immediately! [talking normally] Maybe he can’t
hear you, darling. Probably has his headphones on!
Edmond: I can hear you! Just a few minutes Dad … I have to send off these emails to my teacher and chat
to my friend about our drama presentation tomorrow.
Mr Chan: I really don’t believe that you’re doing schoolwork all the time, Edmond. In my day, we didn’t
have to chat to our friends and listen to music to get homework done! Come and have your dinner at once
please. Don’t keep your mother waiting – it makes me very cross.
Edmond: No one understands how busy I am! I’ve got Drama, History and English to do and it’s all online.
I’m supposed to work with other students.
Mr Chan: Well, being on the computer all day, dead to the rest of the world, and not tidying your room
does not indicate that you’re busy, young man!
Edmond: Dad, honestly, I need my computer for schoolwork!
Mr Chan: Really? Well, how come your grades are not showing evidence of all this work? The last time I
checked, your report card didn’t say, ‘Edmond is a hard-working boy…’. In fact, it said something like, ‘Edmond
needs to improve his concentration in class and must hand in his homework on time!’
Edmond: Well, that was only some teachers, and besides, not all the teachers like me, it’s not my fault!
Mrs Chan: Well, we’re going up to the school tonight for the parent–teacher meetings. Let’s see what they
have to say. Now please come and eat your dinner!
Edmond: [now in the same room] Oh no! Well, don’t believe everything they say at school! Great, pasta –
my favourite!