PANAJI: Goa IT (Information and Technology) Professionals, a registered association of IT employees aims to promote IT skills and knowledge among school children, especially those in villages by planting seeds of computers and robotics. During the pilot phase, the programme will be launched at three schools; two in Tiswadi, at Chorao and Dongrim respectively, and one in Quepem taluka.

“This is to sow the seeds of curiosity, quest for knowledge and modern technical skills in our next generations; while in parallel, we continue our efforts on the IT policy for Goa,” vice-president Vincent Toscano said. “Based on our learning and experiences, we will take it to other schools.”

The idea behind this initiative, which was launched on Saturday evening at Kala Academy , is to promote computer programming, science and robotics in school children beginning as early as Class 4.

While school children will be exposed to science from Class 4, computer programming will be taught from Class 6. In Class 8, children will be introduced to robotics.

The programme will focus on schools in the hinterland where technology and infrastructure has failed to penetrate. It will aim at handholding the headmaster and the staff to encourage technical and experiential learning from a young age.

Each school will get 50,000 per year for infrastructure, training, projects and contests.

Local startups and entrepreneurs have also pitched in for the programme. Google Android User Group Goa and Androcid founder Prajyot Mainkar and Inventrom founder Pranav Pai Vernekar will share their expertise with the students.

Selected schools will get the funds in two tranches to develop basic infrastructure, science equipment, IT equipment and for experiential learning. The funds, however, can be utilized for basic infrastructure only once the school exhausts all other resources.

Goa IT Professionals was started with specific focus on promoting IT and ITeS industres in Goa.

It aims to become a social organization to initiate IT establishments in Goa, including the setting up of an IT park in the state. The group will also help in exploring new technology, guide computer science and engineering graduates and conduct workshops on IT.

