Archives

by Manjula Fernando

Taking another step towards education excellence the Education Ministry opened a Geographical Information System and a Information Operational Unit (IOU) at Isurupaya recently.

Education Minister Dr. Sarath Amunugama opening the unit said the school mapping project funded by the UNICEF will indeed be a giant stride towards expediting the development of rural schools.

"The government's policy is to provide equal opportunities in education for everyone. It will be reflected further through this program," the Minister said.

The school mapping is being done using the computer software 'Geographical Information System' which is the modern method of mapping out schools. All 9,972 government schools in the country will be covered under the project and so far over 2,500 schools in the Western, Southern, Sabaragamuwa, Vayamba and part of Central provinces have been covered. The Unit will be networked with all Provincial and Zonal offices, the Examinations Department, the National Institute of Education (NIE) and the National Education Commission (NEC). Initially, the departments within the ministry will be linked to the network.

The unit will expand the Education and Financial Management Information Systems for an improved education planning and decision-making.

Database on students, schools, financial and physical inputs and other facilities will also be maintained by the unit. A separate database on all teachers will be opened by July 2002.

Ministry Secretary Dr. Tara De Mel, University Grants Commission Chairman Prof. R. Mendis, Examinations Commissioner R. B. Amarakoon, Additional Secretary Lalith Weeratunga and Prof. Carlo Fonseka were also present at the occasion.

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager