Bhubaneswar, Oct. 9: The state government has decided to make computer education compulsory for all streams of Plus Two classes.

The changes in the courses will be applicable to students who will take the annual higher secondary examination in 2013 and thereafter. The theory course will be for 30 hours and practical classes for 10 hours.

“Both theory and practical classes will be like other science classes. Computer courses need more practical training. However, for the examinees of annual higher secondary examination-2013, both theory and practical will be taught in the second-year class,” a senior official of the department of higher education said.

The course will carry 100 marks out of which 50 will be for theory and 50 for practical assignments. The principals of the institutions concerned will have to conduct the examinations at the college level and award grades to students.

The colleges will be responsible for providing computers and infrastructure.

According to norms, there will be one computer for every 32 students.

The department said timing of theory and practical classes would be fixed by the principals according to their suitability, keeping in view the availability of classrooms and faculty members. “But for all purposes, theory sessions will be followed by practical classes to provide students with more practical knowledge on basic computer education,” the official said.

The government has also decided to amend the Odisha Higher Secondary Education Regulation Act, 1982, to include computer education as a compulsory subject. The percentage of marks secured in computer education will be reflected in the mark sheet in the form of grades.

The teaching faculty required to impart computer education is to be done by outsourcing, arranging guest faculties or by engaging own staff. Remuneration for the guest faculties has been fixed at Rs 5,200, an official notification said.