Tech Unsavvy

Jan 03, 2007 (LBO) – Sri Lanka's ministry of education says more than 60 percent of the teachers in Sri Lanka lack computer and English literacy skills that are needed in a modern teaching environment. The Ministry of Education says a new government survey shows that only a third of the teachers or (32.5 percent) in Sri Lanka are computer literate.

We hope to establish 35 centers that will teach ICT and English literacy to teachers, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said.

We have ten teaching centers already.

The preliminary report of the Census on Computer Literacy of Teachers conducted among, government schools approved private schools and Pirivenas shows that Sri Lanka™s computer literacy among teachers varying within 30 to 40 percent across districts.

Ministry of Education says 2006 census says slightly more than half the teachers in schools and pirivenas at national level have computer 'awareness', which is the knowledge to use at least one computer for one purpose.

Ministry officials say literacy in English is also a factor contributing to teachers™ literacy in ICT where only 53.7 percent of teachers in schools and Pirivenas or temple based schools h