Assam government, Microsoft join hands for technology in schools

Assam government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Microsoft Corporation India (Pvt) Limited to expedite Information and Communications Technology (ICT) adoption in the state's schools.

The year-long alliance will support Assam's School Education System to use ICT towards improving the quality of learning in schools by recreating more interactive classroom experiences, official sources said here today.

The agreement was signed by 'Assam Sarba Siksha Abhijan' Mission Director L S Changsan from the state's side and Ranbir Singh, Country Head, Government Engagements, from Microsoft's side, in presence of state Education and Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma last night.

The agreement will focus on the professional development of 5,760 school teachers and equip them with skills required for integrating IT in classroom teaching, they said.

To trigger better learning outcomes for students in the long run, training sessions of teachers will be held at six state-run DIETS (District Institute for Education and Training) as per Partners in Learning (PiL), they said.

PiL, introduced in 2008, is a global Microsoft programme that helps in providing teachers with tools aimed at enhancing their IT skills and the integration of ICT into teaching and learning in a meaningful way.