(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) – The approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted initially to provide free tablets to Advanced Level students only as a pilot project at National Schools, President’s office clarified today.
President’s Media Division in a media release, said the recommendation of the President to this proposal by the Ministry of Education was to not to launch this program island-wide in a single phase, but to introduce as a pilot project at selected National Schools.
The proposal to provide tablets to all A/L students island-wide was presented to the Cabinet in 2017.
President Maithripala Sirisena 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 program as a pilot project at National Schools.
Rs. 5.5 billion has been allocated to provide tablets to students throughout the country. President Sirisena has 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 has 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,” the media release said.
