The Siliguri Metropolitan Police have introduced an “e-Shikha” school at Siliguri police station in association with a private computer firm to help underprivileged children learn basic computer skills.

“The school has 11 computers with proper internet connectivity and other facilities required to provide computer education. We have already initiated education for the first batch,” said a police officer.

According to him, the school — launched on March 13 — would impart computer education to children who are from economically weaker families and reside within the jurisdiction of Siliguri police station. Altogether, 80 such children have been selected for the first batch.

“A three months’ certificate course on computer education will be provided to the needy children free of cost so that they can develop computer handling skills,” the officer added.

Also, there is a plan to provide training to the children of the police personnel at the school. Any police personnel who intend to learn computers, can avail the facility, police sources said.

Gaurav Sharma, the police commissioner who inaugurated the facility, said in this age of digital revolution, no child should be ignorant or fearful about technology. “We have launched the school to help underprivileged children whose parents cannot afford to provide them computer education. We are committed to stand by the needy children to educate them,” he added.

On Tuesday, Sharma re-opened another facility, a “Naba-Disha Pathshala” at the Milanpally police outpost which is under the New Jalpaiguri police station.

Sources said the facility was launched back in 2013 but the school was shut because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

There are 28 children in the school and they have been provided with school bags, textbooks, copies, uniforms and shoes. “All these children, who are aged between three to six years and stay within the jurisdiction of Milanpally police outpost, can enrol here for pre-primary education. Three woman civic volunteers have been engaged to teach the children and take care of them,” said a source.