1 July 2019 10:22 am
President Maithripala Sirisena said the Cabinet approval had been granted to the project to distribute tab computers to A/L students only as a pilot project in national schools.
Presidential media unit said when the proposal was first submitted to the cabinet in 2017, the President had recommended that it was not suitable to introduce the project island-wide in a single phase and that it should be introduced only in selected national schools as a pilot project.
President was also of the view it is necessary to prevent students from accessing unnecessary websites other than required subject curriculums. Accordingly, the Cabinet was informed that measures will be taken to restrict web access outside the syllabus. It was also decided to take future steps based on the success of the pilot project. The Cabinet too recommended to initially commencing this programme as a pilot project at National Schools.
Rs. 5.5 billion was allocated to provide tablets to students throughout the country. President proposed to reserve required funds for the pilot project and to utilize remaining funds to meet the urgent needs of school equipment such as desks and chairs. President also proposed to state the precise amount of funds required for the pilot project. Hence, the tender called in 2017 should be amended according to the pilot project.
President is of the view that though it is necessary to disseminate knowledge via modern technology, maintaining discipline among students and using methods suitable to the young minds also equally significant.