National e-library in the offing

New Delhi: Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani Friday said the government would soon launch an online library to make study materials available to all. "The prime minister has highlighted that modern day medium of growth is connectivity and the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in teaching has the potential to change teaching in a major way," Irani said. "I am happy to announce that we at the ministry of human resource development (MHRD) will soon launch the 'National e-library' that will make learning materials freely available to everyone even in remote areas," she said while speaking at a function honouring teachers with national awards. The National Electronic Library (NEL) is a digitised library, which will be device independent. It will be accessible to every citizen of the country. Irani said: "This (e-library) will also enable teachers to learn continuously even when they teach. In fact, an educated society is one where we form a learning connectivity." Urging teachers to dedicate time for research activities, she said: "This is increasingly important part of formal learning. Critical reasoning and fearless interrogation are requisites for our democracy, and schools are the most important place for learning that fosters these qualities." The minister also pointed out that teachers have great responsibility towards students. "School is a first formal socialising experiences of children and schools reflect deeply embedded cultural values. The teacher has impact on young lives, so the teachers have greater responsibility and they have to be sensitive to child's natural learning processes," she said.   IANS