Bringing IT education and training to India's children and young people - gallery

The Katha Information Technology and E-Commerce School (KITES) is located in Govindpuri, the most deprived area of Delhi. The school was founded by BT in 2001 and aims to elevate children from poverty and enhance their future by giving them the skills for employment. "In Delhi there’s a big market for people with IT skill. We’ve developed as a special curriculum relevant to the local job market and, within that, BT gives us the ability to deliver IT education and training," says Geeta Dharmarajan, Katha founder and executive director. Photograph: BT/KITES

The entrance to KITES, which has already transformed the lives of thousands. By using a three-pronged approach, the school wants to empower people through education ininteractive, technology-based classrooms. It wants to open up the world to individuals via the internet. And it wants IT to be an essential part of everyday life for everyone through online chats, email exchanges, blogs, and online stories and essays. Photograph: BT/KITES

Children as young as three can try out the computer, mouse, and keyboard. From 14-plus they can study for an IT certificate, of which KITES has already awarded more than 19,000. In the 2012/2013 year group, 1,350 students attended KITES courses. More than half were girls and women. There were also people from non-literate families, shopkeepers and community teachers. Photograph: BT/KITES

India has a thriving software and services industry. But, with a third of the population below the poverty line, computer literacy and a career in IT are beyond the reach of many. The problem starts early. Some 40% of Delhi’s five million school-age children never complete their education. Others drop out to work in low-income jobs with no hope of a better future. "The support we receive from BT enables us to give out children exposure to a world far beyond their local community, and to bring that world into their classrooms. It also enables Katha to provide education and computer skills that are not only relevant but also help our children position themselves for stronger futures, whether through better paying jobs or in higher education," says Parvinder Kaur, assistant executive director at Katha. Photograph: BT/KITES

Through the IT and eCommerce School Programme, children in the age group of 6+ learn pre-IT skills. These include games, painting and drawing on the computer, puzzles and math exercises. The syllabus is designed as three one-year modules and leads to a Computer is Fun! Certificate. Supporting KITES is part of BT’s Connected Society programme which helps people around the world get online, helping children and whole communities reach for a better future. Photograph: BT/KITES