Education Ministry, Microsoft to recognise innovative IT teachers

EDUCATION: Exceptional Teachers will be rewarded and recognized for their contribution towards creating a tech savvy future generation when the Education Ministry and Microsoft once again launch the Innovative Teachers Competition.

A national level competition for teachers, 'innovative teachers' will single out the most outstanding innovations by teachers in integrating technology into their classroom as a tool of teaching and learning, to create an exciting and interesting atmosphere where students thrive and prepare for a digital future. The competition is supported by the Education Ministry.

National level winners will be selected in primary education and secondary education categories, while a special award of recognition will be made to a teacher coming from an area where IT penetration is at a low level, displaying outstanding talent in using IT.

All three category winners will then take wing to Cambodia in late February 2007, to participate at a peer gathering - the Regional Microsoft Innovative Teachers Summit.

The Conference in Siem Reap is Microsoft's premier teachers' conference and is hosted in partnership with UNESCO Asia Pacific ICT in Education Division as well as the Cultural Division.

The winners will participate in a series of activities as part of the international summit and will also enjoy a one-day field trip to Angkor Wat, the famous world heritage site in Cambodia.

Country Manager of Microsoft Sri Lanka, Sriyan de Silva Wijeyeratne said - "Innovative Teachers are a necessity in a country such as ours - where overall IT penetration is still at a low level.

This competition is an appreciation of those teachers who go the extra mile by opening their students imaginations to new possibilities and new learning experiences using technology.

Teachers play a pivotal role in shaping the child's character - and innovative teachers go even further, by ensuring that students are prepared for the challenges of the digital age.

We hope that this competition will encourage many more teachers to integrate IT into their classrooms and create a new learning culture in the country."

The competition is open to teachers of any subject from public and private schools functioning under the Ministry as well as international schools operating in the country.

Teachers from rural schools in particular, are encouraged to apply - as rural IT penetration is of significance. Entries are now open for applications and the closing date for submissions will be January 01, 2007.

More information and application details can be found at www.schoolnet.lk , and newspapers while those interested in applying can also contact their school principals for further details.