So far, Dr Mamta Aggarwal has taught 124 people, including senior citizens, peons, canteen boys, drivers etc.
A Mumbai University (MU) professor has found a novel way to spend her summer vacations. For the last two years, she has been teaching computer basics to the underprivileged, charging a nominal Rs 200 for stationery and other necessary things for the course. So far, Dr Mamta Aggarwal has taught 124 people, including senior citizens, peons, canteen boys, drivers etc.
Aggarwal's course includes classes on Microsoft word, excel sheet, power-point presentations and internet surfing. The duration of the course is one week, during which the professor teaches 7-8 hours a day. At the end of the week, she conducts an examination and hand over a course certificate to her students.
The idea of providing computer skills training to those who were unable to learn due to several reasons came to Aggarwal from prime minister Narendra Modi's Skill India campaign. The professor said she believed in career-oriented education, and that computer skills were indispensable in today's life. She planned the week-long course during the summer vacation last year, and named the project Community Project Skill India (CPSI). She shared her idea with MU vice-chancellor and other professors as well, who were appreciative and supportive. Only 17 people participated last year.
"We had one batch last year. This year, however, we have taught 35 students and a batch of 72 is still running," said Aggarwal. She added that during the summer vacation, the computer lab at the Institute of Distance and Open Learning (IDOL) remains unused, so her students have full access to the facility. "We charge Rs200 from every student. The money is meant for providing certificates, print-outs, stationery, tea and snacks during the course," said Aggarwal.
Anil Prabhunath Varma (42), a social activist who was leading a hand-to-mouth existence by by working for LIC, said he joined the course last summer and now is teaching with Dr Aggarwal. Varma had passed Std X in 1992, before quitting studies. "I learned computer skills from here, because I had no money to pay the Rs 2,000-3,000 fee generally charged for these basic courses. Now I am teaching here, and it is also helping me to sell the LIC policies by making good presentations on computer," said Anil.
Siddhesh Mahakal (24), another Std X-pass who works as a driver, joined the course last month and is now helping others to learn. "Though I am only Std X pass, I now want to study further and do well in my life," he said.
Meanwhile, Aggarwal said she has been meeting authorities of other colleges to convince them also to start such courses.
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