Computer Donation Aids Mississippi Students
The Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA) donation of 150 computers has helped Mississippi reach its goal of becoming the first state in the nation to place an online, Internet-ready computer in every public school classroom.
Some of the computers are serving as stand-ins until those lost to a recent tornado can be replaced. Others have been distributed to the Mississippi ExplorNet Program.
“As a part of the Mississippi Crescent Initiative, the education task team was pleased to help provide a resource for Mississippi students,” says Stan Rice of East Mississippi Community College. “This will be an invaluable training tool for students as they learn skills needed for today’s workforce.” ExplorNet, a program available at more than 40 schools throughout Mississippi, negotiates with equipment vendors to help schools get computer hardware, including upgraded motherboards, CD-ROM drives, and hard drives, at the lowest possible price.
Students are trained to upgrade old computers using the new components. As a result, the students learn a valuable skill and schools get high-speed, modern computers at a small fraction of the cost of new equipment.
We are pleased to partner with the state of Mississippi on this worthwhile project as part of our strategic objective to demonstrate leadership in sustainable economic development in the Tennessee Valley, says TVA Chairman Glenn McCullough Jr.