Some 50,000 children took part in the Computer Based Assessment (CBA) for children participating in the Computer Aided Learning (CAL) programme in four districts. The CBA was held at centre/school, mandal and district levels in West Godavari, East Godavari, Kurnool and Visakapatnam districts and 19 children finally made it to the state level contest held at Hyderabad on Feb 28, 2005. One student each from class 1 to 6 emerged winners in the finals.

There were a total of 85 questions which had to be answered in eight minutes. At the state level finals many toppers attempted all the 85 questions in just six minutes. The venue overflowed with students, parents, teachers, officials and invitees and cameras flashed and videos whirred but nothing disturbed the finalists who were a bundle of concentration as they handled the mouse and clicked on the right answers. Azim Premji Foundation had developed the relevant software for this assessment.

The toppers and all participants at the state level test were felicitated by Mr. Ramakrishna Rao. Director of School Education, Andhra Pradesh. Children were awarded certificates by Andhra Pradesh Government and Azim Premji Foundation presented them with educational / scientific toys. The teachers and e - seva centers were also rewarded with certificates.

The CBA was first conducted in 200 centers in West Godavari district during April 2004 in which 30,000

children participated. Encouraged by the response and interest shown by the teachers, children and the community, the CBA was extended to the four districts.

Officials from other districts who participated in the programme have showed keen interest in conducting CBA in all the 23 districts in the next academic year. The Government of Andhra Pradesh in association with Azim Premji Foundation is implementing Computer Aided Learning (CAL) programme in 3,100 schools in all the districts of Andhra Pradesh.

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