HP, STC and Etisalat join forces in Technology Affinity Programme based on e-learning

Hewlett-packard Lanka Pte Ltd (HP) recently joined State Trading Corporation (STC) and Etisalat in launching WEB Patashala in line with the Mahinda Chinthana's, Socio-economic Development Programme goal of reaching 75% ICT) literacy by the end of 2016.

HP is a hardware partner for WEB Patashala, which is a programme designed to ensure every home in Sri Lanka is equipped with a personal computer, Internet connection and e-learning content in local languages. The pro- gramme is aimed at increasing the ICT literacy rate in Sri Lanka from the current 8% to 75% by 2016, the company said in a press release.

"Being a company that is focused on innovation, HP is proud to partner STC and be part of WEB Patashala, one of the most modern and innovative programmes, offering a gamut of benefits to the learning experience of students," said Dennis Mark, Vice President & General Manager, HPPSG, Southeast Asia & Taiwan, Asia Pacific and Japan.

Under Phase 1 of the project, STC will provide one HP notebook to each of the 250,000 teachers and three million students in Grade 4 to Ordinary Level nationwide. The educational package will include Etisalat high speed broadband Internet connection and -learning content in local languages free of charge. The programme will be supervised by the Ministry of Education.

The statement said STC will also offer affordable rates and schemes for all teachers nation- wide to purchase HP notebooks and desktop computers powered by Etisalat high speed broadband and e-learning content.

The WEB Patashala program, aimed at empowering students, teachers and parents with ICT, will provide easy access to education content of all subjects from Grades 4 to Ordinary Level. Students will be able to study online, view practical examples and lectures or prepare exams online. Audio and visual technology combined with learning tools will al- so make learning interesting and fun.

"Essentially the WEB Patashala programme will eliminate extra tuition classes and enable students to enjoy interactive learning through e- content. Students will also be able to bring the interactive classroom experience back home enabling parents to participate in the learning process; while teachers can benefit from using the content to prepare for classes and refresh their knowledge," HP said.