The way Kerala helped students to buy laptops for Rs 1500

Stepping into her high school campus last year, Athira Ashokan was all excited and euphoric. The jubilation had, however, soon turned into dismay as she learnt that her school would be closed indefinitely owing to Covid-19.

The school quickly went digital to finish the chapters for students, but the 13-year-old girl still struggled to follow her online classes through a tiny screen of her father’s two-year-old smart phone.  She had no laptop or fast internet connection at home, and the smart phone she was using had cracks after a recent fall as well. A month into Covid-19 shutdown, her daily wage parents were tapped out. With no immediate solution in sight, the standard VIII student had almost lost all hopes to continue her high school education even as her wealthier friends enjoyed a fine online class experience. 

But things are much better now, thanks to the Kerala Government which decided to distribute laptops so students devoid of electronic devices to study can learn with the new gadgets they have now.  As per the project, the KSFE and the Kudumbashree would join hands to provide students the financial assistance to buy the laptop. KSFE would provide monetary aid to the Kudumbashree units through Micro Chitty to buy Laptops. An interesting feature of this programme is that the laptops will have specifications prescribed by the Kerala State Education Department.

The first-of-its-kind project, which saw KSFE open a micro chitty of Rs 15,000 for those requiring the gadget, could provide laptops to students facing difficulties in attending online classes. Students like Anitha can now own a laptop for Rs 1500 paid in three-month installment of Rs 500.

 The Chitty period is 30 months and by completing the third payment, students can officially lay their hands on the laptop. As these devices are priced only at Rs 15,000, Kudumbashree members can take the balance amount after completing all the installments.