In a bid to familiarise students with computer from their formative days, Orissa Government has decided to offer computer education in 550 schools.  While 500 of these are general schools under School and Mass Education Department, 50 udner Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Development Department, official sources said on Sunday.

This was decided at a high-level meeting on computer-aided learning process held here on Saturday.

Schools with good track record in board examinations will be provided the facility in first phase. If it proves to be surccessful, the model will be replicated in all schools.

The meeting also discussed a proposal for developing computer-aided teaching and learning materials. It was decided that such materials will be developed as per school curricula in Mathematics, Science and English in the initial phases.

The School and Mass Education Department was advised to develop one single-model matrial for all schools of the state. It was also decided that language labs will be set up in 30 district headquaters schools having good infrastructure and study atmosphere.

Setting up computer systems and developing teaching learning matrials will be done through experts and exprienced agencies through tender process, sources said.