Bottom image: Charitha Ratwatte, Head, Group Sustainability, Dialog Axiata, H.U. Premathilaka, Additional Secretary (Education Quality Development), Ministry of Education, Dullas Alahapperuma, Minister of Education, Ministry of Education, Supun Weerasinghe, Group Chief Executive, Dialog Axiata PLC, Dr. Upali Sedara, Consultant, Ministry of Education and Dr. Madura Wehalla, Additional Secretary (Planning & Performance Review) Ministry of Education looking at Teachers and students using the distance learning solution on screen
Dialog Axiata PLC, Sri Lanka’s premier connectivity provider, together with Huawei and Simsyn, has further extended its support for the education sector by way of teleconference solutions for schools across the country, selected by the Ministry of Education (MOE).
This is an extension of the Nenasa 1377 distance learning initiative launched in March 2020. Contrary to most of the online teaching solutions practiced by schools due to the COVID-19 crisis, this distance learning solution is freely accessible across any network and does not require students to have internet access to sit-in on lessons, thereby ensuring that no child is left behind.
This inclusive solution for distance learning will deliver education to students from schools island-wide, via classroom conference sessions, allowing students and teachers to connect through any device and any network at no cost.
Dullas Alahapperuma, Minister of Education Sports and Youth Affairs stated “Today, we bear witness to the turning point of the Sri Lankan education system. As a result of this global pandemic, the education sector was adversely affected, prompting countries to find quick solutions. Taking mammoth steps in advancing the education sector, Dialog Axiata have facilitated the Sri Lankan government in its vision of instilling distance learning in the country.”
We have taken this unique situation as an opportunity to teach children through various mediums of distance learning. However, less than 30% of Sri Lankan households have access to the internet. Partnering Dialog, we can now further target students through a widely accessible medium - the telephone.
Together, we are committed to ensuring equitable access to education in this time of crisis.”
Commenting, Supun Weerasinghe, Group Chief Executive of Dialog Axiata PLC said, “We extended these inclusive teleconferencing solutions alongside the Nenasa 1377 distance learning helpline to the Ministry of Education to facilitate 1000 schools across the country with the necessary tools to ensure continuity of their educational endeavours while also upholding a high standard of quality education and bridging the disparities faced by teachers and students in the emerging era of e-Learning.”
“We would also like to take this opportunity to extend our gratitude to the efforts taken by the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) and all network operators for facilitating us in making this inclusive distance learning solution freely accessible across all networks.”
“Our aim is to enable teachers and students with their education efforts, and not be marginalised due to the new-age digital divide, by utilising the power of the telephone, which is one of the most commonly available facilities in the country.”
This initiative by Dialog Axiata is also in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), namely goal number 4 - inclusive and equitable quality education.
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