Bridging the digital divide for Dalit children

1/9/2019

Since we started working with Dalit communities in Bihar State, one of the main requests from the children has been to set up some computer training, alongside the Learning Centres and Women’s Groups. Consequently, our partners have set up a Computer Centre, open to all children at the Centres. In two shifts, 20 students come and learn basic computer skills each day.

A report by the Digital Empowerment Foundation shows that 90% of the Indian population lags on digital literacy. In day to day life this has a huge impact on people’s ability to enter education, the workforce, or even apply for simple services.

Add this to the stifling discrimination faced by Dalit people, and it becomes a significant factor in keeping a community under the poverty line.

All Learning Centre teachers are also trained in IT so they can assist in lessons. Written and practical exams have already been conducted at the Centre and all participants have been learning about surfing the internet and how to access educational sites for their studies.

200 children have now completed a three-month course in basic computing and internet use, gaining a certificate, and 16 of the older students have gone on to get jobs, like Ankita and Pratima below...

Ankita - Cyber cafe job

Ankita is from a low income family and didn’t have the digital skills to enrol on the course that would qualify her for the kind of job she hoped for. She completed a three-month course at the Computer Centre, was presented with a certificate and registered for the course she wanted.

Within two months she was offered a job in a cyber cafe. She says “I am happy now and it seems that my dream is coming true. I feel privileged to get this wonderful chance to do computer education and am excited to have these new changes ahead in my life”.

Pratima - Hospital receptionist

After completing her course at the Computer Centre, Pratima got a job as a receptionist at the local hospital. She earns 200 rupees for six hours of work and says "I am happy in my work, I like dealing with all the different people".

Project leader Veena says “The students and parents are very happy that the Computer Centre is serving the poorer children. The children have shown great interest and learned very fast. The joy they’ve shown has been a real encouragement for me”.

“Many of the children start out not even knowing what a computer is or why they would need it. I end up learning from them as they become proficient so quickly”

Sameer - IT teacher