The proposal is to provide ICT education to a sample
of the 872 children and to provide English classes to the large majority
of the 872 children. A quick market survey of Kalutara revealed that there
are many IT schools located in the town. There are also English schools,
but possibly less in number. One option is to sub contract with an already
established ICT college and English college to guarantee say100 students
to study ICT and English. This proposition, whiles it looks attractive and
is possibly less of a hassle, the disadvantages are also many. The other
option is to set up a dedicated school where the children could be taught
ICT and English. If a dedicated school is to be set up we will have our
own premises and these premises will be available to us round the clock.
Given that the children in the project will be taught IT and English classes
after their regular school is over (2 pm onwards), the dedicated premises
can be used as a community centre during the mornings where the mothers
could attend skills training classes. And one could also provide crèche
facilities for the younger children. If the premises are dedicated for the
use of the children in the project, then it could also serve in the evenings
as a youth centre where the young students can spend time using the internet,
socializing and playing educational games like scrabble where they can improve
their English. A television set can also be made available for the exclusive
use of the children. They would be encouraged to watch English language
documentaries, news etc. Whilst it is attractive to set up a dedicated school
with many of the advantages pointed out above, it must be kept in mind that
a dedicated school would also require additional security, rental of a building,
purchase of new equipment, maintenance of equipment and hiring and management
of good quality management and faculty staff.
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