Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2012-02-29

IT Literacy Development Project implemented by special funds of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) under the Special Programme for upliftment of the Rural Primary School System

- a programme has already been launched to upgrade 1000 selected Secondary Schools and 5000 Primary Schools, to uplift the school system in the country, under the "Mahinda Chinthana" . In parallel to this programme, it is proposed to launch a three year special project aimed at providing IT educational facilities, Internet facilities as well as Educational Software and Teacher training to 5000 Primary Schools, including 1590 Small Rural Schools. It has been observed that the IT literacy rate in the country which was 4% in 2004, has now improved to 38% over the past 06 years and it is intended to increase this percentage up to 75% by 2016. The programme is to be launched targeting 01 Administrative District each month and in the first two months it will be launched in Badulla and Jaffna and thereafter, throughout the Island within the next 24 months. The proposed activities include provision of Computers, Computer Accessories and Furniture to selected schools in each District, filtered Internet facilities through School Net, renovation of a suitable class room by the respective Provincial Councils etc. The proposal made by H.E. the President, to proceed with the project, was approved by the Cabinet.