Empowering Sri Lankan students with digital skills, India is fostering a knowledge-based society
As a substantial initiative to enhance digital literacy in Sri Lanka, High Commissioner of India Gopal Baglay and Secretary of Sri Lanka's Ministry of Education MN Ranasinghe have exchanged diplomatic notes to expedite the implementation of a project aimed at establishing modern computer labs and smart classrooms in 200 schools in the Galle District. The exchange took place on June 19, 2023, in the presence of Sri Lanka's Minister of Industries and Plantation Industries Ramesh Pathirana. The project, funded by the Government of India, is designed to enhance the digital skills of students in less privileged areas. It involves the installation of smart boards and the development of customized curriculum software. The exchange of notes is expected to streamline and speed up the project's implementation by aligning procurement processes with the framework prescribed by the Government of Sri Lanka. This initiative is one of several educational grant projects undertaken by the Indian government in Sri Lanka. The aim is to foster a digitally literate generation that can navigate the demands of the 21st century with ease and competence. INDIA'S DEVELOPMENTAL ASSISTANCE TO SRI LANKA India's overall development assistance to Sri Lanka currently stands at around USD 5 billion, with nearly USD 600 million being in grants. Close to 65 grant projects have already been carried out across the 25 districts of the country, and over 20 grant projects are at various stages of implementation. The Indian Housing Project and the 1990 Suwaseriya Ambulance Service are among the flagship grant projects implemented by the Government of India in Sri Lanka. The digital literacy project is a testament to the ongoing collaboration between India and Sri Lanka in the field of education. It underscores India's commitment to supporting Sri Lanka's development and enhancing the quality of education in the country. The initiative also reflects the shared vision of both nations to empower their youth through digital literacy, thereby paving the way for a brighter future. India has been actively assisting Sri Lanka in various development projects and policy reforms. Recently, an Indian delegation led by the Director General of the National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) Bharat Lal met with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe. The discussions, held on April 1, 2023, focused on policy reforms, good governance, digitalization, capacity building, and public service delivery. The Sri Lankan President sought NCGG's help in establishing a University of Governance and Public Policy in Sri Lanka, drawing from India's experience in digital governance and participatory policymaking. In addition to policy and governance support, India has also increased its development assistance for debt-ridden Sri Lanka. During a visit by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in January this year, India announced plans to double its high-impact community development projects in the island nation. A new bilateral agreement was signed, raising the project limit from INR 300 million to INR 600 million. India has also provided financial assurances to Sri Lanka, which is seeking a $2.9 billion bailout package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). India's assistance to Sri Lanka extends to various other sectors, including housing projects and debt restructuring programs. The country has provided around $4 billion in line of credit and rollovers to help Sri Lanka manage its debt crisis. This support highlights the strong bilateral relationship between India and Sri Lanka and India's commitment to helping its neighbour achieve sustainable development and economic growth. To signify the latest assistance initiative, the establishment of modern computer labs and smart classrooms in 200 schools across Sri Lanka, a project expedited by India, marks a crucial step forward in the country's educational development. This initiative is a testament to the power of international collaboration in fostering educational advancement and digital literacy. By incorporating digital skills into the education system of Sri Lanka, as part of India's comprehensive development assistance to the country, this project is anticipated to yield wide-ranging advantages. The acquisition of digital skills among Sri Lankan students will empower them to meet the evolving demands of the contemporary job market, thus making a substantial contribution to the economic growth and overall development of the nation. In the grand scheme of things, this endeavour will play a vital role in the actualization of Sri Lanka's aspiration to evolve into a society driven by knowledge. By equipping the younger generation, who are the future leaders of the nation, with the necessary skills and knowledge, this initiative will empower them to spearhead Sri Lanka's advancement in the forthcoming years. Consequently, it will pave the way for the realization of Sri Lanka's vision to create a society that thrives on knowledge and innovation. This collaboration between India and Sri Lanka in the field of education is a shining example of how international cooperation can contribute to national development. It is a model that other countries can look to as they seek to enhance their own educational systems and prepare their youth for the future.