IT as an A/L subject from 2011

Dharma SRI ABEYRATNE

The Education Ministry has introduced Information Technology (IT) to the Advanced Level curriculum as a subject this year in line with the Presidential initiative to arm the younger generation with English and Information Technology knowledge, Education Minister Susil Premajayanth said.

Students will be able to study IT as a subject from 2011 for the first time in the education history.

The Minister addressing a gathering at St. John’s College, Nugegoda said 40,000 students have applied to follow IT as a subject at the Advanced Level this year.

“When comparing with last year a larger number of students have applied for IT. This situation can be identified as a fruitful outcome of the Presidential initiative,” Minister Premajayanth said.

The Education Ministry has taken steps to train 62,000 teachers out of 218,000 to teach IT.

The Ministry has planned to train 100,000 teachers while another 12,000 teachers will receive subject centred training. Ruwanpura College of Education which will commence academic activities shortly, will be converted to an IT education centre.

The service of professors in IT sector in Colombo, Peradeniya, Moratuwa and other universities will be utilised to teach IT in Ruwanpura College of Education, Premajayanth said.

“The National Institute of Education is engaged in building up a network among schools. The network is called ‘School Net’ which will be a useful tool for the school system. The schools linked to School Net can be able to share their academic activities and experiences such as sharing questionnaires, tutorials, lessons and much more with other schools.

“Therefore the School Net will perform a major role in IT and academic activities,” the Minister added.