There is a lacuna in computer literacy among students in rural schools. There is no government sponsored program to provide computers to all rural schools. Rural schools lag behind in the usage of computer technology. At a time when advanced computer technology is available in most urban schools, rural schools lag far behind making students in such schools less competitive with their counterparts in urban schools particularly in undertaking studies related to Information and Communication Technology, a subject offered from grade 6 to 11. Most rural schools are compelled to offer the theoretical component relating to the subject only due to the absence of computer facilities to offer the practical component.  

Considering the difficulties faced by rural students in undertaking this subject Karuna Trust set up three fully equipped computer centres in Padaviya, Rambuka and Maharagama. Maharagama centre is for the urban underprivileged students. There are 21 computers in each centre and a distance education classroom equipped with an 86” Conference Flat Panel Smart Board at centres in Padaviya and Rambuka. Distance education classes are conducted by qualified teachers in Australia and United Kingdom. There are two sessions in each centre; the morning session allocated for school leavers to follow DP Coding classes and the afternoon session allocated for students to undergo practical training under suitably qualified teachers. Recently we added another 10 computers to Padaviya centre because of the greater demand for our services from under privileged students in the area.