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Programme to impart computer literacy in schools

The government has initiated a programme to impart computer literacy and technical knowledge to youth in the rural sector. The first stage of this programme has been launched from the Kalutara district by providing at least one or two computers to each rural school in the district," said Employment and Labour Minister and Kalutara District Development Committee, Chairman Mahinda Samarasinghe.

Addressing a meeting which followed the distribution of computers to several schools in the Matugama, Bulathsinhala and Agalawatte electorates, Minister Samarasinghe said it is hoped to open 24 computer centres equipped with a set of 20 computers and accessories each in the district under this programme. The main objective of this programme is to enable youth to successfully cater to the future job market by gaining computer literacy and a sound technical knowledge.

Among the schools which received computers in this day were Neboda Maha Vidyalaya, Sri Piyaratana Maha Vidyalaya, Udawela, Girikola Kanishta Vidyalaya, Pimbura Kanista Vidyalaya, Veyangalla Muslim Maha Vidyalaya and Kudaligama Maha Vidyalaya.

Mahinda Samarasinghe said nearly 70 percent of the country's population lived in the rural sector. This programme which brings new technology to the rural sector would enable rural children to fashion themselves according to modern world trends and needs.

Minister Samarasinghe said in the past rural youth in particular had suffered a serious social setback and mental frustration due to unemployment caused by their lack of knowledge in English and information technology. The government's objective is to change this situation by developing rural schools to compete with urban schools. This is in keeping with the Prime Minister's concept of providing equal educational opportunities and technical knowledge to all.

Minister Samarasinghe said the country's education system had not been properly job-oriented. This shortcoming was identified by his ministry in formulating the National Employment Policy.

To remedy this the ministry has introduced a program to donate computers to rural schools in order to promote skills development among rural children. This programme would be further extended to cover all districts next year. 

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