Kolkata: A flood relief centre that had given shelter to about a hundred villagers of Sundarbans during cyclones Remal and Dana in 2024 has been transformed into a computer learning school for local children.At a time when the new govt has announced its plan to develop tourism in Sundarbans, private organisations have started expanding computer literacy programmes for school students in the island.Situated at Gobardhanpur, a tranquil sea beach under Patharpratima community development block, the school, which is run by a private charitable organisation, ‘Resurrection’ caters to about 50 students for its ‘e-sahajpat’ curriculum.
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The state govt has recently allocated Rs 100 crore for infrastructure and waterway development to transform the Sundarbans into a sustainable eco-tourism hub. The project is aimed at creating employment avenues for youths.“We have found that the children in the island have no access to avenues where they can learn about computer. Thus, we have designed the curriculum for these children, who belong to the backward sections.Currently, we are providing computer training to about 50 students, who are from classes V to X, to make them industry-ready for the future,” said Tanima Mukherjee, chairperson of the organisation. A few years ago, the organisation had set up the flood relief centre there as the shelters, which are run by the govt, are located in far-off areas like Hasnabad, Hingalganj, Sandeshkhali, Minakha, Gosaba, Sagar and Kakdwip.“Flood and cyclone do not occur throughout the year. We are utilising the flood relief centre to run the computer education programme for the children. Once the eco-tourism hub comes up in Sundarbans, this will pave the way for job opportunities. As of now, the students of Gobardhanpur are being trained and we have decided to extend the lessons in other nearby villages,” said Mukherjee.According to Debasish Shaw, who is the project coordinator, both theoretical and practical classes are arranged during the weekends. At the end of an academic year, students will appear for an examination and receive certificates on the basis of their performance.“Now the e-sahajpat programme focuses on preliminary computer education. We have plans to upgrade it in the future,” said Shaw.Computer Shiksha, a Gurugram-based organisation, is also running classes at Giribala Adarsha Free Primary School at Raidighi near Mathurapur in Sundarbans. Rakesh Suri, founder of the organisation said, “Students of 11 schools in South 24 Parganas get our computer training and one of these schools is in the Sundarbans.” He added that the training would be imparted in more such schools in the coming days.
