Digital classrooms in 50 schools soon

by Lalin Fernandopulle

The Information Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) with the Ministry of Education hopes to set up 100 digital classrooms in 50 schools across the country, to enhance knowledge on the use of digital technology among students, ICTA Managing Director and CEO Muhunthan Canagey told the Meet the Minister Forum organised by the National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka last week.

He said two digital classrooms will be set up per school with digital wall boards comprising a wide range of content of all professional spheres enabling students to widen their knowledge on various fields. Teachers will be facilitated with digital technology to impart knowledge to students.

The ultimate aim is to reach all schools in the country through the school digitalisation program. The investment on the project is around Rs.1 billion, Canagey said.

Minister of Telecommunication and Digital Infrastructure, Harin Fernando said a proposal to secure the services of Stripe, a US technology company which enables private individuals and businesses to accept payments through the internet has been presented to the Central Bank.

It is the ideal time, with the focus and development in the IT sector, to obtain the services of a globally recognised technology company.

Stripe, a US$ 5 billion company provides technical, fraud prevention and banking infrastructure needed to operate on-line payment systems.

With regard to Paypal, the Minister said the US based on-line payment company was invited but since the Sri Lankan market was small and the ground regulations were not favourable the company declined to come.

PayPal Holdings operates a worldwide online payments system. On-line money transfers serve as electronic alternatives to traditional paper methods such as checks and money orders.

ICTA will implement a program to bring all banks under one platform.

He said around 64 projects to develop the digital infrastructure in the country with an investment of Rs. 10 billion is in the pipeline for this year. “Our aim is to take take the country forward in digital technology and keep pace with the global technological evolution.”

“The biggest hurdle in expediting projects is the procurement procedure which is slow-moving. We hope to have the draft of the data protection code ready by June and presented in parliament by September this year,” the Minister said.

He said the national digital identity will a major revolution in digital infrastructure development in the country and will ensure accuracy and non repetition of data, privacy, and enable digital signing of documents in all sectors. The first card will be ready by the end of the year.

A digital key will be provided to every citizen after capturing the biometric data.

Discussions were held with Microsoft, Oracle and Ericsson to set up innovation centres to provide opportunities for students enhance skills in digital technology.

“Sri Lanka should not be a place merely for call centres. We need skilled workers with innovative ideas to bring about a digital revolution. Students need not feel they are university drop-outs. There will be plenty of opportunities in digital technology,” Fernando said.

The ministry is working with a company to offer 10,000 scholarships to students which will enable them to find employment in the IT sector.