BEd Computer Science Teachers Demand Separate Subject in Tamil Nadu Government Schools

The Tamil Nadu BEd Computer Science Unemployed Graduate Teachers Association has officially urged the state government to introduce computer science as a separate subject from classes VI to X in all government schools.

The association, led by its state general secretary V Kumaresan, has called for the immediate appointment of qualified computer science graduate teachers to handle the curriculum. The demand highlights the lack of a standalone computer science curriculum and qualified instructors in state-run schools.

Kumaresan pointed out that central funds received under the Samagra Shiksha scheme are specifically designated for setting up Information and Communications Technology (ICT) labs. These funds are also meant to cover the costs of appointing qualified instructors, as well as providing necessary electricity and internet facilities in the schools.

While hi-tech labs were established in government schools across the state in 2024 by a private firm, the association alleged that the state government has failed to employ qualified teachers to run them. Instead, volunteers from the Illam Thedi Kalvi scheme were reportedly appointed as lab administrators and instructors.

According to Kumaresan, these volunteers are largely being utilized to complete data entry work for the Education Management Information System (EMIS) and the Unified District Information System for Education (UDISE). He emphasized that these appointees do not possess the required professional qualifications to teach computer science to students.

At present, computer science is not taught as a standalone subject for classes VI to X in Tamil Nadu government schools. Computer education is currently limited to a short, basic section within the standard science textbook. The association has urged the state government to address this educational gap by properly utilizing central funds to employ qualified, unemployed graduate teachers who hold a BEd in computer science.