New Classmate PC Lab for the Mahinda Rajapaksa Vidyalaya
 A new lab with 50 Intel classmate PCs for the Mahinda Rajapaksa Vidyalaya in Homagama was declared open by the Minister of Education, Hon. Bandula Gunewardena recently. The lab was facilitated by Intel Sri Lanka, via its World Ahead Programme, under the Ministry of Education’s IT literacy campaign targeting 1,000 local secondary schools around the island.
Since launching the World Ahead initiative in Sri Lanka four years ago, Intel has donated 500 PCs to over 25 schools located in the Western, Central, Eastern, Southern, Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces.
Speaking at the event, Hon. Bandula Gunewardena stated, “IT is definitely the way of the future and we’ve made a strong commitment towards increasing IT literacy amongst the youth and empowering young Sri Lankans at a very early age. One of the key goals of the 1000 Schools Project is to equip each and every child with the necessary knowledge and training to use ICT for the development of the nation.”
The 1000 Schools Project was launched earlier this year as a preliminary stage in creating knowledge based society in Sri Lanka. The goal of the project is to create an opportunity for students to study and excel in the fields of ICT, Mathematics, Science, English, Foreign Language Studies, Aesthetics and Sports. One of the key goals of the project aims to bring ICT, and its many benefits, to Sri Lankan students, thus ensuring that they receive an IT education that meets international standards.
 “We want to make sure that Sri Lankan children can compete with their peers, and empowering our school children through IT is essential in accomplishing this task. The Classmate PC labs at this institution and the others that have received labs before this is the first step in reaching this goal,” said Mr. Anura Dissanayake, Additional Secretary to H.E. the President’s Office.
The Intel World Ahead program provides programs, technology, and resources that encourage better learning. Students and teachers benefit from 21st century learning environments that prepare students and other citizens for success in a changing world.
“Young people, and students are the future of this country and it’s essential that they’re well versed in ICT. This is something we’re constantly striving to achieve And these labs will help give students exposure to computers at a very young age, and enable them to use ICT in the most effective ways, both within their classroom experiences and once they enter the real world,” said Indika de Zoysa, Country Manager for Intel Sri Lanka.
An organization that has always been dedicated to promoting ICT among youth and particularly students, the World Ahead Programme is one of many that have been implemented by the organization in an effort to educate Sri Lankan students. The programme aims to provide local students with technological resources including PCs, Internet access, digital content etc to create effective ‘e-Learning’ environments that prepare students for success in a changing world.
About the World Ahead Program
The World Ahead program provides programs, technology, and resources that encourage better learning. Students and teachers benefit from 21st century learning environments that prepare students and other citizens for success in a changing world.
Focused on advancing knowledge and skill development, job growth and quality of life in the world’s developing communities, the Intel World Ahead Program extends Intel’s efforts to advance progress in four areas: accessibility, connectivity, content and education. Most importantly, Intel recognizes that companies can’t take a one-size-fits-all technology approach to enable digital inclusion.
About Intel
Intel, the world leader in silicon innovation, develops technologies, products and initiatives to continually advance how people work and live. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom and blogs.intel.com.
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