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Award changes societal attitude: Study by Daulat Rahman


Samsul Ali, a farmer in Hajo, had decided his four daughters need study no further than Class X, till two of them got a first division and walked up to receive their computer awards.

Now he wants all his daughters to complete their post-graduation — a father’s change of heart that could just be the beginning of a larger social shake-up.

Dispur’s laptop sop for those who score 60 per cent and above is mobilising a change in societal attitude towards all the award’s recipients in general and girls in particular — raising hopes of taking girl education another step forward.

This was revealed in a study conducted by TechAtEdu, a website, on behalf of the Assam Electronics Development Corporation Ltd (AMTRON).

AMTRON, which has been entrusted by the government to conduct the programme for distribution of computers and laptops among students, wanted to assess the impact of the scheme through the survey.

The scheme, designed as Anundoram Borooah Award Scheme, was started in 2005 and more than 1 lakh students have been given computers and laptops so far.

The study analysed the responses of awardees of the financial years 2009-10 and 2008-09 about their perception and experience after receiving the award.

Conducted across 27 districts, the study interviewed 2,104 students.

The award, it was found, enhanced the “social standing” of the not only the students but also their families.

“Even among peers, a recipient’s social standing increases and this has been especially relevant for the girl awardees. Around 77 per cent of the recipients feel that the award has helped change societal attitude towards girl students and made people feel that the state’s future will also depend on girls. This was corroborated with a majority of the girl awardees stating so,” the study said.

Said a proud Ali: “I have four daughters. Initially, I had planned that my daughters would continue their studies till they complete their matric examination, but I have changed my view now. The social respect and prestige that I received after two of my daughters received the computers has motivated me to let my daughters education their education at least till the postgraduate level. Most of my neighbours and relatives also suggested not to discontinue their studies. Hope my younger daughters, who are in school, will also receive the award.”

The study also revealed that a majority of the recipients did not have the means to buy laptops or computers had they not been awarded the machines by the government. For many students, their family’s monthly income was lower than the price of a computer.

The study has highlighted that there has been a considerable increase in the number of students securing first division in the matric since the inception of the award that also aims producing tech-savvy students.