After sweeping out thirty years of terrorism, the country has the prospect of reaching out to the most vulnerable groups in North and East of Sri Lanka. When consider the digital gab between souths and north is huge. While roads and infrastructures are being developed the digital divide between the North and South continues to be huge.
The e-Society Programme of ICT Agency of Sri Lanka is one that reaches out to the most vulnerable groups in the country. It has the potential to respond to the immediate needs of communities, even after the onset of disaster or any catastrophe. It can bring the benefits of technology to areas which don’t have the luxury information infrastructure through a human mesh and basic IT. It is in this manner that the Replication Assistance Programme, a component of the of e-Society programme opened a channel to replicate the English Language learning content and the application in the North and the east in the immediate aftermath of the war.
Although the literacy rate of the country has reached to 96%, the English literacy rate is far from satisfactory. Year 2009 was named as English and IT by the Government in an attempt to give focus to upgrading the level of English in the Country. . Chitranganie Mubarak, the senior programme head of the e-Society section mention that “The Government declared the Year 2009 as the year of English and IT and we are very glad to partner the National Council of the YMCAs of Sri Lanka, in replicating English Language educational content. Not only do they have the capacity, they like us, have the enthusiasm to work with the grassroots l to improve the lives of ordinary people by giving them greater access to information and education. ”. This project aims to teach English & other subjects using ICT to the youth and students in the Northern Province.
125 underprivileged students and youth in the areas of Jaffna, Navali, Point Pedro and Uduvil have continued to learn English Language through the leadership of the YMCAs in the respective areas. This effort being the first of its kind commenced in August 2009 s with the financial and technical support of ICTA (Information & Communication Technical Agency), and was welcomed with great appreciation by the communities.
The Foundation Course which was supported by audio visual illustrations enabled the students to learn the language with ease and through friendly interaction. It also provided clear instructions to the the instructors to transfer the knowledge with ease.
The students were grouped and individual learning opportunities were provided by allocating time periods for each group. Hired English Language Instructors met them at an agreed time schedules for necessary coaching and learner guidance. After the students reached the level of practicing conversation, they were encouraged to form into “English Speaking Youth Guilds”. Although in the beginning there was some hesitation and reluctance to join such group’s as their Englsih skills improved students got over their initial inhibitions.
Simplified use of English language, simplified English interpretations of Tamil language, English songs, formulating vote of thanks and practicing, English Drama, reading passages and speeches aloud in English were some of the activities conducted at “English Speaking Youth Guilds” in all the 4 YMCA language learning centres.
Periodic performance assessments enabled the instructors to monitor the level of progress of the the students and introduce suitable coaching for improving the standard of the less capable students. Those who have completed the Foundation Level have shown interest in pursuing further studies.
At the project review meeting with the National YMCA officials emphasized the fact that the “ National YMCA is determined to continue facilitating the YMCAs to continue their English Language Study Centres in a sustainable manner. For the simple reason, it has clearly shown to what level we can develop the capacity of the youth in the peninsula therby r furthering their job prospects. This will also contribute towards fulfilling the YMCAs national obligation towards expediting the development of an the area which was severely affected for 3 decades by war”.
The responsibility of the social and economic development of country does not rest purely with the Government The holistic approach of partnering with public, private and non-government sector can be make a huge difference in developing the country using Information Communication Technology.
Shriyananda Rathnayake
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