English and IT to be given pride of place in Uva

Dharma Sri ABEYRATNE

Moves are underway by the Education Ministry to build a knowledgeable society in Information Technology (IT) and English knowledge in the Uva Province so as to assist the younger generation to link up with the rest of the world easily whilst assisting them to overcome language, communication and information technology barriers, Education Minister Susil Premajayanth said.

Under this initiative,the Education Ministry has already planned to implement several projects for the development of English and Information Technology sectors in Badulla and Moneragala districts. Accordingly,computer laboratories and Computer Resource Centres (CRC) which use modern technology will be established in a number of schools in both Badulla and Moneragala districts. For the uplift of the English education 'Language Centres' are also to be established.

The Education Ministry had allocated Rs. 16,082,059.60 for school development projects in the Badulla district for 2005 while Rs. 36,656,410.91 was allocated for 2006. The Ministry has further planned to allocate substantial sums for continued programs in these fields for 2008 and 2009, an Education Ministry source pointed out.

During 2007 a large number of Development projects were carried out in schools in both Badulla and Moneragala districts such as building renovations, supplying electricity and water, building of toilets and sanitary facilities, access road developments, library development activities including setting up of new libraries and providing hostel facilities for children are among them.

These projects which lead to 'Education sector development' and infrastructure development, were carried out in 78 schools in the Badulla district and 23 schools in the Moneragala district.