Microsoft Corporation to help train 10,000 teachers

Dharma Sri Abeyratne

COLOMBO: The Microsoft Corporation has expressed its willingness to upgrade the Information Technology and computer related sector in Sri Lanka. Under this programme Microsoft has taken steps to train 10,000 schoolteachers.

That apart it will help launch the E-Village programme of the Ministry of Education, assist the Teachers Computer Training Scholarship Programme and has consented to provide funds and technical assistance to establish a Software Development and Research Institute in Sri Lanka.

As a result of the discussion between the Minister of Education Susil Premajayantha and the Chairman of Microsoft Corporation Bill Gates in Beijing last April, Microsoft has consented to assist Sri Lanka's education sector through its partners in learning and unlimited potential, grant Programmes for improvement of Information Technology Education, Content Development and Research activities for teacher training.

Following the meeting of the Minister of Education and the Chairman of Microsoft Bill Gates, a delegation from the Ministry of Education headed by the Secretary to the Ministry of Education Ariyaratne Hewage met Gates at Microsoft Headquarters recently.

The delegation had also discussed ways and means that can be implemented to upgrade the Information Technology sector with Ministers and officials from Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Philippines and Indonesia.