The State Government has decided to introduce OS-CIT, an Information Technology (IT) literacy course, from Plus- Two level in all junior colleges, with the help of Odisha Knowledge Corporation Ltd (OKCL). OS-CIT is a three-month course on basic computer education.
Last year, the State Government had made Basic Computer Education course compulsory in Plus-Two first year in all the three streams of arts, science and commerce. Students of Plus-Two had to study both theory and practical of the course in the first year itself contrary to its earlier decision that theory of the course will be taught in first year and practical in second year. However, it was alleged that the courses in a majority of the colleges were implemented for namesake and students were given grades in the course without even conducting classes.
“To plug these loopholes, we decided to introduce the OS-CIT course at Plus-Two level from the ensuing academic year. The course will be compulsory for all the students,” said Secretary of the Higher Education department, Gagan Dhal, after a meeting with authorities of the department and officials of OKCL on Monday.
Council of Higher Secondary Education (CHSE) Chairman Gauri Shankar Ray was asked to prepare a proposal to implement OS-CIT within 15 days. With many Plus-Two colleges, both Government and private, lacking in IT infrastructure such as computer labs, the department had directed CHSE to initiate stringent measures against such colleges.
Apart from implementation of OS-CIT, the department officials also discussed the steps to reform the Plus-Two examination system. One of the steps was to implement secure remote paper delivery mechanism for secure e-delivery of question papers at examination centres on the exam day. The department Secretary said any decision on the proposal will be taken only after studying its software and other technical aspects. The question paper leak of Plus-Two examination in March had brought into focus loopholes in examination system.