Etisalat partners with Singer to promote Web Patashala islandwide

Thursday, 22 November 2012 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Taking another leap forward in its efforts to drive ICT literacy in the country, Etisalat Lanka joined hands with retail giant Singer Sri Lanka to promote its revolutionary e-learning platform, Web Patashala.

Web Patashala is an online, e-learning tool that will allow students and teachers to access educational material from the national syllabus. This platform was developed in providing the gift of knowledge to the children of Sri Lanka.

Utilising Singer’s over 400 outlets around the country, Web Patashala, aims to reach out to all parts of the island and empower children in rural communities with the tools to better their education and ICT literacy. Web Patashala will be available to the public at all Singer outlets and customers are even provided with the option of purchasing Computers through easy-payment schemes.

Commenting on the partnership, Etisalat Lanka CEO Dumindra Ratnayaka said: “We are indeed proud to tie-up with the largest retail network in Sri Lanka to take Web Patashala and the power of e-learning to children across the island. In addition to the Web Patashala connection, through this partnership we will also be offering computers and laptops at affordable prices and easy payment schemes so that customers will have more ways in which they can benefit from this venture.”

Web Patashala was conceived and launched in partnership with the State Trading Corporation (General), to promote and empower, enrich learning among children around the country via a web based electronic platform. Web Patashala, which is endorsed by the Ministry of Education, is an online e-learning tool which gives students and teachers easy access to educational material derived from the national school syllabus.

Web Patashala is built and maintained by Etisalat which has been constantly increasing public awareness on the tool and its benefits to students and teachers in rural areas who don’t have easy access to learning material. Web Patashala is available as an affordable bundle which includes a computer; a laptop, a mobile broadband connection and the e-learning tool.

Speaking at the launch of this landmark partnership, Singer Sri Lanka Group CEO Asoka Pieris said: “We live in a time where the internet is connecting people and places like never before. This increased connectivity has allowed us to transcend geographic boundaries and tools like Web Patashala and has helped bridge the educational gap in Sri Lanka. Singer is proud to be part of this initiative to empower our children and their future. There will be more accessibility for students and teachers to experience e-learning through our extensive regional branch network and easy payment schemes.”

Also commenting at this occasion, Chairman of the State Trading Corporation (STC) Pradeep Gunawardena stated: “This partnership will facilitate to make internet affordable to all students and teachers around the country. Through this initiative we also hope to assist the Government of Sri Lanka to reach ICT literacy targets set for 2016.”