Tabs, Laptops to schools on hold: MoE cites technical difficulties
View(s):Plans by the Ministry of Education (MoE) to issue Tabs and Laptops to students have been put on hold due to technical difficulties in implementing the scheme, MoE officials said. The scheme was due to come into effect this year, keeping with a government pledge to issue Tabs to GCE (Advanced Level) students and Laptops to schools, so that it would be convenient for students to follow lessons.
At a pre-bid meeting of MoE officials, questions as to how the machines would be serviced was taken up, as the proposal was to lease the machines from private companies and get them to service the machines. Another issue was the provision of internet facilities as some outstation areas do not have such facilities.
It was also pointed out that outright purchases of the machines were cheaper than leasing them, prompting authorities to re-assess the plans.
A senior MoE official said they would consider going ahead with the plan only if the technical issues are resolved. - Damith Wickremasekara