Intel felicitates teachers in Sabaragamuwa: New initiative reaps rich rewards

* Over 230 teachers gain invaluable experience

 

* Officials predict rapid growth in the IT sector 

 

 

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka July, 2010: Intel can yet again pride themselves in believing that they have continued to pioneer and uplift the standard of IT in Sri Lanka.

To mark another significant accomplishment, teachers of the Sabaragamuwa Province who partook of the Intel Teach Programme were felicitated at a ceremony held recently at the Samudhi Hall, New Town, Ratnapura. Leading officials from the province were present at the occasion.

Those present saw the awarding of certificates to 228 Intel Teach Master Teachers for successfully completing the Intel Teach Teacher Professional Development Programme. It was further revealed that their exploits had not only ushered in a new age in terms of IT but had also inculcated their knowledge and training to more than 2,600 additional teachers in the Sabaragamuwa Province.

Gracing the occasion, Indika De Zoysa, Country Business Manager, Intel EM Ltd prior to the event said, “Our efforts have indeed heralded a new beginning in the IT sector in this country. The turnout in support of this program has been outstanding and today we are extremely happy to recognize each and every person for their efforts put in.”

Sabaragamuwa Provincial Minister for Infrastructure Development and Tourism Athula Kumara Rahubadda said, “Today we see the result of a successful public and private sector partnership and I thank Intel for their selfless service to develop the teachers in the Sabaragamuwa Province which contributed immensely towards the schools of Sabaragamuwa Province getting the 1st place in ICT.”

Along with the Minister several other dignitaries from Sabaragamuwa Province that were present to congratulate and motivate the teachers included P. Kodithuwakku - Chief Secretary, H.P. Kularathne - Education Secretary, R. Abeyasinghe - Director of Education, S. Kuruppuarachchi - EKSP Project Manager and Priyantha K. Weerabahu - Education Programme Manager, Sri Lanka. Several other provincial officials, Zonal Directors, ICT Coordinators, Principals of Intel Teach Master Teachers, the Intel Teach training team to whose efforts cannot be discounted or compromised and most importantly the recipients of the awards were present to mark this special occasion.

Moreover the Intel Teach Programme which was introduced to the province in April of last year has undoubtedly enabled and empowered these teachers to engage their students with novel tools with the usage of technology in learning, thinking and communicating. It enhances their prowess in being more effective educators when dealing on how to promote problem solving, critical thinking and collaboration skills through modern day technology amongst students. The programme comes across as being the largest and most successful of its kind.

On the whole the program carried out in various provinces in Sri Lanka can be undoubtedly deemed an overwhelming and remarkable success owing to the fact that over 14,000 teachers were subject to its teaching and training and have at present gained the required knowledge on how to set up a suitable base and environment for their students.

Additionally the End of Training (EoT) analysis carried out by the Lanka Market Research Bureau (LMRB) last year has supported and further given weight to the success story of the Intel Teach Programme. Among the figures released it was learnt that over 90% of teachers thought that the programme had indeed aided them in forging new teaching strategies for the benefit of their students. Furthermore 83% of teachers stated that the training they had received had given them the confidence to integrate technology into their teaching while a staggering 98% confessed that the skills learnt had been successful in making technology a part of their students curriculum.

Prior to the event Anura Dissanayake, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Education who supports Intel Education initiative through Education for Knowledge Society Project (EKSP) advised that “These teachers now have the capability to mould a new society with empowered generation that can be relied upon to take Sri Lanka into the future.”

Minister also gave away plaques to Sabaragamuwa Province officials, EKSP officials, principals of high performing schools and high performing master teachers for their support and services rendered towards the programme. A special plaque was presented to Intel in recognition of the valuable contribution provided to the Sabaragamuwa Province through Intel Teach programme.

About Intel: Intel, the world leader in silicon innovation, develops technologies, products and initiatives to continually advance how people work and live. For more information on the program go to: http://iteach.schoolnet.lk or http://www.intel.com/education/lk/

Photo caption: Standing from left: Mrs. S.M.C.N. Sampaya, Ms. W. Champika Kumuduni, R. Abeysinghe, Priyantha Weerabahu, Athula Kumara Rahubadda, P. Kodithuwakku, S. Kuruppuarachchi, A.H. Bandara Wickramsinghe, Principal Mahanaga M.V. Mrs. M.P. Nawalage.