Teacher PC to boost ICT knowledge among teachers
The Ministry of Education and Microsoft last week launched an
initiative to transform the lives of teachers across Sri Lanka, with the
introduction of its new Teacher PC - a breakthrough in boosting ICT
knowledge among teachers.
The Teacher PC is an offer made exclusively for teachers, giving them
an opportunity to own their very own personal computer at a subsidised
price, with a three-year service warranty. The initiative which is a
joint effort between Microsoft and the Ministry of Education (MoE), will
benefit teachers with the availability of instalment schemes for
purchases provided by the ministry and original software provided by
Microsoft.
The initiative will bring together several hardware partners, to
ensure that there is sufficient geographic coverage and availability of
the PC, thus ensuring that teachers do not have to travel far to
purchase the computer.
The pay-as-you-go model enabled by the Ministry of Education to all
teachers employed by schools falling within the Ministry's purview, will
make PCs more accessible, by reducing the initial cost and enabling
teachers to pay for computers through instalments as they use them.
This milestone initiative will equip thousands of new users with the
power of low-cost, full-featured PCs through a tailored financing model
that fits their lives and budgets.
The offer encompasses several models of Personal Computers and
laptops which will be made available to teachers at subsidised rates
through appointed PC vendors - PC House (Pvt) Ltd. and E-W Information
Systems Ltd. (E-Wis). Each PC will include Microsoft Office Standard
(Faculty and Student Edition) as well as Windows XP Starter Edition or
Windows XP Home Edition depending on the PC model.
The program also offers the first batch of 1,250 teachers who
purchase the PC a valuable gift worth Rs. 3,500. Each PC will be
customised for teachers with learning material such as "Integrating ICT
into Teaching and Learning".
The licensed software made available with the Teacher PC will ensure
that Teachers are exposed to original software and do not need to resort
to the unethical use of unlicensed, sub-standard software. Genuine
Microsoft Windows and Office software which have been installed in the
Teacher PC will ensure safety and hassle-free running.
Through the provision of bespoke software for teachers, Microsoft
aims to help local educators use technology to improve teaching and
learning. |