Free Tabs for Govt school students to cost over Rs 5b annually
View(s):A proposal to issue free Tabs to Govt school students, due to come into effect this year, but delayed, will now be effective from next year, and will cost the Govt more than Rs 5 billion, said the Ministry of Education (MoE). Initially, the Tabs will be issued to GCE (Advanced Level) students. Under the plan, the facility will also be available to selected teachers and principals.
Within the year, the Govt intends to provide 195,000 Tabs, of which 159,700 will be for students, 28,000 for teachers and 7,300 for Principals. Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam told Education Times that the proposal would benefit students, as it would facilitate their studies. The students would not be required to return the Tabs once given to them.
He said discussions are also under way with internet service providers to provide free WiFi zones to facilitate the use of the Tabs, in addition to the Govt’s free Wifi areas.
“One of the features will be that inappropriate websites will be blocked to ensure the Tabs are not misused,” he said. He said there is also a guarantee from the company to repair or replace any defective Tab, in the event of a damage.
According to MoE officials, on the issue of Tabs, there will be 2 Agreements- One with the recipient student and the other with the parent/guardian of the student, to ensure there is no misuse of the Tab. According to the plan, the Govt is expected to allocate Rs 5 billion every year for the programme .
- Damith Wickremasekara