IMPROVING DIGITAL LITERACY
IN SRI LANKA
Program to digitally empower the citizens in Sri
Lanka
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Vision & Objectives
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Digital Literacy Definition
•
Literacy Rates in Sri Lanka
•
Conducive Environment & Barriers
•
Role of Government
VISION
“Digital empowerment of citizens”
OBJECTIVES
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Universal Digital Literacy
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All digital resources universally accessible
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All government documents/certificates to be available on the Cloud
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Availability of digital resources/services in all official languages
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Collaborative digital platforms for participative governance
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Portability of all entitlements for individuals through the cloud
DIGITAL LITERACY DEFINITION
The journey starts with learning the mechanics of using a mobile device, with a
gradual transition towards use of more advanced features such as the internet.
Source : GSMA’s Digital Inclusion Digital Literacy Journey
SRI LANKA
2006/07
“Namely computer awareness, computer literacy, and the ability to use two
software packages” E.g. - a 5 year old able to play a game on computer
was considered computer literate
2014
A person (aged 5 - 69) is considered as a computer literate person if he/she
could use computer on his /her own. E.g. - If a 5 years old child can play a
computer game then he /she is considered computer literate
Source : Department of Census & Statistics, 2014
LITERACY RATES IN SRI LANKA
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Literacy rate at 95.7% however, at a national level only 25% are computer literates.
99% of secondary school enrolment and only 19% tertiary enrolment  Need to
focus on laying a strong foundation by developing a relevant school syllabus
Source : Department of Census & Statistics, 2014
SKILLED USER
Consumer Barrier to internet access
 Lack of awareness of the internet
 Lack of relevance content & services (Localized content)
 Lack of social/cultural acceptance
 Lack of English literacy further prevents many native language
speakers from using the mobile internet
 Lack of Incentives, large segments of offline population
lack a compelling reason to go online.
Conducive Environment
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High mobile ownership
Smart phone usage increasing
High ICT related investments
Mobile penetration is already higher (over 100%)
Per capita income increasing thus, ability to own devices
Smart phone usage increasing
High investments technology resources
Lower cost for voice / data as a percentage of income
(less than 5%)
Source : International Telecommunications Union Statistics
VISION FOR DIGITAL EMPOWERMENT OF
C“Unlocking
ITIZENSthe latent demand by increasing user awareness and
digital literacy”
Stage 1
Readiness
Stage 2
Stage 3
Stage 4
Competency
Development
Work &
Learning
Connections
Placement &
Follow up
 Create awareness
and set around IT
related careers gals
 Train individuals to
identified competencies
for job roles
 Provide IT related
foundational
education in schools
 Certify individuals to
demonstrate job
readiness
 Bridge school and
 Job placement
training to workplace
 Ongoing professional
opportunities
development
 Apprenticeship
programs
Source : Microsoft Digital Literacy Overview
Sri
Lanka
Internet Users per 100
(LIRNEasia Method)
34.8
Facebook Users, per 100 (2015)
16.0
Source : Department of Census & Statistics, 2014
ROLE OF GOVERNMENT
Education : Expedite work in offering strong education at primary school level
ICT : Promote use of ICT and internet as a medium of learning in schools,
colleges and universities allowing students to master technology use.
Rural Engagement : Devote sufficient resources to extend a supportive
learning. Create mobile training centers and recruit trainers to improve
digital literacy (Via public libraries, schools, community Centre etc.
E- Government Services :Deliver services in education, health and
financial
disbursements and other life-enhancing services
Partnership with Development Organizations : To produce content to
teach digital literacy.
STEPS TOWARDS IMPROVING DEMAND-SIDE
STIMULATION
Awareness raising campaign at the community level :
Implementation of public educational schemes along with private initiatives aimed at
increasing digital literacy among youths, rural women and elderly population.
Awareness raising campaign at the community level
Youth
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Promotion computer related subjects from primary school
Making ICT as a compulsory Subject (already O/L and A/L has
this, but implement for below grades too)
Maintenance of School computer laboratories at optimum level
Preparation of learning aids closer to children using internet
Increasing the efficiency of the ICT related teachers
Direction of school leavers to equip themselves vocational training
based on ICT
Rural Areas
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ICT training through carnivals and promotional campaigns
Awareness programs for parents introducing the benefits learning
IT and
Rural
Women
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TV Programs instructing women/ people in area in the form of a
tutorial enabling to educate
Programs at community centres
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STEPS TOWARDS DEMAND-SIDE
STIMULATION
Competency Development :
Awareness and IT related skills needs to be built up
regarding the full utility of the digital world and how they can be used not only for social
purposes but also to address business and developmental needs.
Areas for development
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Strong efforts towards providing ICT related training for
marginalized groups such as rural women, low income earners,
from war affected areas etc.
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Provide social entrepreneurship opportunities for the local
communities
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Train Service Delivery Agents to run viable businesses delivering
IT services
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Telecom service providers to train rural workforce to cater to
their own needs
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Train people in smaller towns & villages for IT sector jobs
THANK YOU