Govt. launches IT promotion in 6,500 rural schools

By Uditha Jayasinghe

The Government is launching an IT literacy development project in 6,500 rural schools with the first segment kicking off in the former war zone.

Jaffna, the main town in Sri Lanka’s former war torn north, will be the first to benefit from the project, said acting Cabinet spokesman Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardana.

In parallel to this program, it is proposed to launch a three year special project aimed at providing IT educational facilities, internet facilities as well as educational software and teacher training to 5000 primary schools, including 1590 small rural schools where the student population is less than 50.

The project will be carried out within the next two years, Abeywardana added.

The proposed activities include provision of computers, computer accessories and furniture to selected schools in each district, filtered Internet facilities through School Net and training of at least two teachers in each institution.