Asha Chennai expanded its ACE (Asha Computer Education) program, launching ACE V2 in four Tamil Nadu districts: Thiruvallur, Thoothukudi, Thiruvanamalai, and Villupuram. ACE V2 builds on ACE V1’s success by offering a more extensive, two-year digital curriculum.
ACE V2 Inaugurations – August 2024
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ACE, short for Asha Computer Education, is Asha’s flagship program designed to enhance computer literacy in government schools. In 2023, we began the training of 52 government teachers at Thriuvallur to deliver Asha’s one-year computer science curriculum to students across 52 schools. The program was officially launched on October 19, 2023, following Asha’s MoU with the Tamil Nadu Government. Over several months, the teachers received comprehensive training on Asha’s curriculum. Even as they were learning, they applied their learning to teach students at their respective schools, with periodic support and guidance from Asha’s computer science teachers. This model has proven highly effective in
empowering teachers to confidently conduct classes, ensuring sustainable and impactful education.
The need for computer education in rural areas is more critical than ever. In today’s technology-driven world, digital literacy is not a luxury but a necessity. Rural students often face a digital divide, with limited access to resources, making it harder for them to compete with their urban counterparts. By joining hands with government teachers to implement ACE, Asha bridges this gap, equipping rural students with essential computer skills that open doors to higher education, better job opportunities, and a brighter future. As a result of ACE, over 1800 students have directly benefitted from the program.
Given its success, we decided to expand the program both within Thiruvallur and to other regions. This August, ACE V2 was launched in Thiruvallur, Thoothukudi, Thiruvanamalai, and Villupuram. While ACE V1 focused on training teachers to deliver the one-year curriculum, ACE V2 introduces a more comprehensive two-year curriculum alongside its geographical expansion.
Selecting the Schools and Teachers
Since ACE V1 took off successfully, the word of Asha’s work has spread across other schools. Our Computer science teachers who have been visiting schools had an opportunity to discuss the progress and benefits of Asha’s ACE program with the school HMs. 24 schools expressed interest in joining the program in Thiruvallur which were then included under ACE V2.
Our coordinators in Thoothukudi and Thiruvannamalai visited schools alongside the computer teachers to explore the possibility of launching ACE. With the program already running successfully in Tiruvallur, it was easier to bring new schools on board. We prioritized schools where the Headmasters (HMs) and teachers showed strong interest in adopting ACE V2. However, some schools, despite the enthusiasm of the teachers, could not participate due to staffing shortages. In a few cases, Headmasters did not grant permission, which also affected the inclusion of those schools in the program. 13 schools were finalized in Thoothukudi, 11 schools in Villupuram and 5 schools in Thriuvanamalai.
Computers from Amazon
Amazon donated 500 laptops this year for Asha’s computer science projects. The laptops were initially received by our volunteer, Mr. Venkat, in Bengaluru, and subsequently shipped to the Chennai office. The Chennai and Thiruvallur teams inspected the laptops and performed necessary repairs, which included:
- Installing a new operating system
- Basic servicing
- Installing essential software, including the Kanini package
- Replacing keyboards on 10 laptops
- Replacing batteries on 10 laptops
- Replacing trackpads on 15 laptops
After servicing, the laptops were distributed across various schools, with some set aside for the ACE V2 program. In Thiruvallur, 24 laptops were distributed to government teachers, and 54 laptops were provided to 18 schools, with each school receiving about three laptops. Schools that already had hi-tech labs were not included in this distribution.
In Thoothukudi, each ACE teacher was provided one laptop, totaling to 13 laptops. 4 schools received 12 laptops.
In the Kilpennathur block, we provided 21 laptops. Each school was given 4 laptops: 1 each was given to the teacher responsible for V2, and the remaining 3 were allocated for general school use. Since 5 schools participated, all laptops were distributed accordingly. In Villupuram, we distributed 14 laptops – 11 to ACE teachers and 3 to the schools.
Inauguration Function
Thiruvallur
The ACE V2 program was inaugurated on Friday, 9 August 2024, at GHS Thirupatchur, Thiruvallur. The event was attended by Mrs. Johnsirani, Headmistress of PUPS Thirupachur, Mrs. Mythili, Headmistress of GHS Thirupachur, Mr. Rajaraman Krishnan, Asha Coordinator, Mr. Venkat Ramaswamy, Asha Volunteer, and Mr. Srinivasan, Sangamam Coordinator, along with Asha staff, computer teachers, and government teachers.
A total of 24 government teachers from Thiruvallur have joined ACE V2. During the event, computers were distributed to all ACE teachers, followed by the first training session. The government teachers actively participated in the session, contributing to a successful launch of the program. ACE V2 aims to continue building on the foundation of computer education for both teachers and students in the region.
Kilpenathur
Following the inauguration of ACE V2 in Thiruvallur, ACE V2 was launched at Kilpenathur, Thiruvanamalai, on August 13, 2024. The event was presided over by Block Educational Officers Mr. Sriramulu and Mr. Ramamoorthy, with Asha Coordinator Mr. Rajaram and Block Resource Office Supervisor Mr. Selvam lighting the ceremonial lamp to signify the start of this important initiative. Thulasi Project Coordinator Dhinakaran extended a warm welcome to all attendees.
Other distinguished guests included teachers and instructors from Kilipennathur Government Boys Higher Secondary School, and Primary School, Salakuppam. They offered their congratulations to Asha on the launch of ACE V2, recognizing its potential to mirror the achievements of ACE V1. During the event, laptops were distributed to all participating government teachers, reinforcing Asha’s commitment to equipping educators with the tools they need to succeed.
After the inauguration, a comprehensive training session was conducted for the government teachers. Teachers from Nariamangalam and Konalur high schools, along with educators from four middle schools—Kadambai Aranchi, Rayampettai, and Kanalabadi—participated actively. Asha’s computer trainers elaborated on the goals and objectives of the program, sharing their vision for empowering students through digital education.
The event concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks delivered by Ms. Gnanasoundari, RTC teacher at Asha.
Thoothukudi
The ACE V2 program was officially launched at the Thoothukudi Pearl Project, on 13 August, 2024, marking its expansion to a third location in Tamil Nadu. The inauguration was led by Mrs. L. Regini, CEO of Thoothukudi, who ceremoniously cut the ribbon and lit the kuthuvilakku, accompanied by Mr. Venkat, steward of Asha Chennai, and Mrs. Padmavathi, BEEO of Kovilpatti. Their collective participation symbolized the bright prospects of this initiative.
The event was attended by the Headmasters of VOC Government Boys’ School and MMC School, whose presence lent additional significance to the occasion. Mr. Venkat distributed laptops to 13 government school teachers, reinforcing the program’s mission to enhance digital learning. In addition, three laptops each were presented to MMC School, VOC Government Higher Secondary School, PUMS Ilambuvanam, and PUMS Thittangulam. The CEO’s office also received one laptop, further cementing the commitment to supporting education in the region.
Villupuram
The inauguration of ACE V2 at Villupuram took place on 14th August 2024 at the Block Resource Office in Melmalayanur. The event was inaugurated by Mr. Suresh, District Coordinator of Namma School Namma Ooru Palli, and Mr. Prakash, Block Education Officer. Asha’s Project Coordinator, Mr. Rajaraman, and Block Resource Office Supervisor, Mrs. Jamuna, ceremoniously lit the kuttu vellaku. The welcome address was delivered by Mr. Dhinakaran, Coordinator of Asha’s Thulasi Project.
The occasion was graced by other guests, including Mr. Thirumal and Mr. Annamalai, Headmasters of Melmalayanur and Devanur Higher Secondary Schools. The event saw participation from many High School, Higher Secondary, and Middle School teachers from Melmalayanur, Kovilpuraiyur, Sathampadi, Avalurpet, Annamangalam, Kottapoondi, Melsevalampadi, Devanur, Thadagam, and Sathyamangalam.
The training session was conducted by Mr. Rajaraman, who elaborated on Asha’s vision and core values. The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Mrs. Gnanasaundari, an RTC teacher from Asha.
Curriculum, Next Steps etc
The curriculum followed by ACEv2 incorporates the Digital Literacy curriculum from ACEv1 in the first year and then moves on to Programming using Scratch in the second year. The pedagogy with its focus on Learn by Doing and project work remains the same. Teacher training will also focus on the “Teacher as a Lead Learner” model.
As next steps our trainers will continue having one training session a month to cover the 5 or 6 lessons that the teachers will be expected to teach in the next month. As the program has started only in August, the teachers will have to rush a bit to complete the curriculum by January so that they can have the student teams work on the project for the next month and a half.
Press Coverage
The various ACE inauguration events in these 4 districts received good coverage from local press. Here are some of the articles and news items about these events.
ACE inauguration at Thiruvallur on News Tamil 81
ACE inauguration at Thiruvallur on Vanakkam Tamizhagam
