Etisalat; enabling children to access today’s world through education
August 26, 2010 12:50 pm
Etisalat
Lanka’s initiative to provide opportunities for our children to ‘access today’s
world through education’, is now at its 3’rd and 4th phase, as it
sets the pace to take knowledge where it is needed most. With a vision of
enabling our children to access knowledge, Etisalat has selected some of the
most deserving and deprived schools to set up an Etisalat Knowledge Centre; a
well versed reading library. Most of the reading materials available are
relevant to the student’s everyday academic lessons, thereby aiding them with
the proper required knowledge to be well informed in these respective areas.
Having
already opened such knowledge centers in Awissawella and Padukka, the 3rdand 4th such centers were recently opened at Mahagoda
Kanishta Vidyalaya, Mahagoda and Dombagoda Maha Vidyalaya, Ahangama (Galle).
Both schools have an average student population of 330. The Mahagoda Kanishta
Vidyalaya conducts classes up to the O/L’s while the Mahagoda Kanishta
Vidyalaya goes all the way up to A/L’s. Both schools have shown remarkable
academic achievements with good O/L results and Grade 5 scholarships.
The project saw to the
renovation of the library building in both schools, with a donation of 1500
books, maps and other reading material, in addition to the steel book shelves
to store the books properly as a library. The libraries were further furnished
with tables and chairs to enable comfortable reading and learning. Notably, the
books were carefully picked to benefit all the school students, enabling all
grades to improve their knowledge. Etisalat further kept in mind the teachers,
who are the key point of a well educated younger generation. Thus, the library
further contains literature of value to teachers. Remarkably, it has been noted
that many parents also find solace in these libraries as a source of knowledge.
Also, in a step towards exposing rural children to the wonder of modern
learning, the centers have been equipped with an overhead projector, television
and a VCD player for the library and supplemented with some educational CDs.
The
School Principles expressed their gratitude for the resources and the
opportunity, saying that the students are talented and keen to learn. They embraced
this gesture with open arms, thanking Etisalat for enriching Sri Lanka’s future
generations with the gift of knowledge. Meanwhile, Etisalat CEO/Director
Dumindra Ratnayaka said, “As a company that recognizes that knowledge is the
foundation of tomorrow’s generation and future professionals, Etisalat takes
pride in providing such opportunities through the Knowledge Centre.”