Govt. allocates over Rs. 400 million to set up school IT labs

The Government has taken steps to launch a program to provide computer laboratories to selected schools around the country and has allocated Rs. 400 million for the project.

The funds will be generated from local and foreign sources for the project carried out by the Information and Communication Technology Unit operating under the External Affairs Ministry.

Under the plan, every IT laboratory in the country will be equipped with 10 desktop computers, printers, scanners, projectors, computer table and desk worth Rs. 1.7 million.

The move is aimed at improving IT literacy among schoolchildren, the Government Information Department said.

According to Deputy Foreign Minister Ajith Perera, some schools have IT labs with computers that are not functioning properly and in these cases the Ministry will not supply new computers but provide assistance to restore and maintain the units.

The Ministry will provide funds to repair computers and IT laboratories of schools after they are inspected by ministry officials, the Minister added. He said 20 such labs were established in the Kalutara District alone.

Through the project, which started in 2012 in the Anuradhapura District, over 400 IT labs have been established in 17 districts benefiting 150,000 students around the country. Rs. 400 million has been set apart for the establishment of these units during 2015.