Thiruvananthapuram: Vocational higher secondary students in Kerala could launch a price war in computer servicing. They have proved that they can repair a computer for just Rs 4!
Three hardware clinics attached to the VHSCE schools in Kerala have mended 324 computers that had went out of action in government schools at a total cost of Rs 1,200. Encouraged by the phenomenal success of the clinics, the Education Department has started 30 more such centers in the VHSE schools.
The hardware clinics have been set up in association with experts from IT@School and Keltron. These clinics come complete with sophisticated equipment and security features. Experts from Keltron also pitch in by training students in the computer and IT course in VHSE schools.
The initial three hardware clinics were started in schools at Vattiyoorkavu in Thiruvananthapuram, Thrikkakara in Ernakulam and Meencantha in Kozhikode. As many as 450 computers rendered useless in government schools in the vicinity were brought to these clinics for repair. The students proved to be expert IT doctors.
The VHSE now targets to repair 1,000 computers in 30 clinics within two months, director K P Noufal said. A total of 20,000 computers are left abandoned in government schools in the state, IT@School estimates.
The VHSE students may soon offer to repair faulty computers in government offices too.