As one of the key social sustainability projects of CDB, the initiative aims to improve access to technology and digital literacy among school students, and create a smarter and sustainable Sri Lanka.
Since commencing the project 13 years ago, CDB has established such facilities in 11 schools across various locations including Gampaha, Kalutara, Kuruwita, Kehelpannala, Monaragala, Madurankuliya, Kandapola, Kurunegala, Anuradhapura, Jaffna and Tissamaharama.
Upon identifying the need to improve digital literacy in rural communities, CDB pledged to fast-track and develop an additional 20 Smart Computer Labs across the island so that the younger generation can gain essential IT skills and knowledge to be successful in today’s digitally emerging world.
As this project is centred around the 4th UN Sustainable Development Goal of Quality Education, CDB’s goal is to enable access to modern technology for quality education while improving digital literacy of the nation’s youth.
The first of these labs have already been set up at St. Joseph’s College, Kolonnawa, which will be followed by labs in Kuruwitenna Maha Vidyalaya and Atabage Udugama Maha Vidyalaya, located in the Uva and Central Provinces respectively.
These facilities opened their doors in November of this year. Deserving schools are selected under a special criterion with the partnership of the Education Ministry ensuring that the most deserving schools are receiving such facilities.
CDB’s unique brand of sustainable empowerment and spreading knowledge opens opportunities to every citizen in the country.
The initiative is not just about enhancing IT literacy among rural youth, but about broadening mindsets, presenting survival tools and opening up career opportunities that will push youth up the career ladder.