By unusuma.lk on (LK time)
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya revealed that the initiative to provide smart boards to 1,000 schools with the aim of improving education has entirely failed to achieve its goals, resulting in underutilisation of LKR 1.7 billion.
The Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Training, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, expressed these concerns in the Parliament complex while deliberating on the project to establish networked classrooms, according to the official statement from the Prime Minister’s Media Division.
The Cabinet Paper No. AMP/24/0385/601/027 and the Cabinet approval dated March 4, 2024, was submitted to authorise the provision of digital teaching boards and related equipment to 1,000 chosen schools, funded by the Sri Lanka Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRCSL).
Later, an additional Cabinet Memorandum, No. AMP/24/0978/630/009, dated May 14, 2024, was introduced, suggesting that this initiative be aligned with the project proposed by the Chinese government to digitalise schools.
Under this Chinese-backed scheme, plans were made to develop a centralised control hub and a studio facility, along with delivering an extra 500 smart boards. Consequently, merging both initiatives was suggested to create a network of digital classrooms across 1,500 schools.
The Cabinet decision required the Sri Lankan Government to acquire smart boards matching the features of those proposed by the Chinese project, the statement noted.
As per the May 14, 2024, Cabinet directive, procurement for the 1,000 smart boards started in July 2024.
However, at the time of acquisition, the project backed by China was still at the negotiation stage, and no definitive agreement had been finalised on the technical specifications.
Yet, the procurement was conducted via the Sri Lanka State Trading (General) Corporation without a competitive bidding process, relying on price quotes from a single source, which was not officially certified by the Chinese authorities.
The Sri Lanka TRCSL covered the entire LKR 1.7 billion cost, with an extra LKR 430 million allocated for services and installation, it stated.
This procurement appears to have been fast-tracked compared to standard procedures for high-value purchases. Price proposals were requested on July 5, 2024, opened on July 15, and by July 16, the Technical Evaluation Committee had submitted its report.
Subsequently, the report was reviewed by the Standing Procurement Committee on July 17-18, with recommendations made the same day. These suggestions were then forwarded to the Cabinet on July 23, 2024, and approval was granted on July 30, 2024. Following this, the purchase order was issued to the supplier on August 5, 2024. This means the entire process was finalised within a month.
As part of this deal, a Letter of Credit was opened for USD 3,135,392.50 to pay for 1,000 smart boards to Intelligent Express Limited Hong Kong, identified as a representative of Huawei.
While the Cabinet document named Huawei as the manufacturer supplying smart boards under the Chinese funding project, the Chinese government has not yet confirmed the selection of such a supplier, the statement highlighted.
According to the purchase order, the smart boards and related items were delivered to the Ministry of Education in October 2024 and are now stored at Pattala Gedara Teacher’s Training College.
Although the Sri Lankan Government has completed this procurement, the project, which was expected to be funded by the Chinese government, has not yet begun, and a final agreement on its implementation has not been reached.
Without confirming the network integration system and central facility planned under the Chinese project, these smart boards cannot be used for the intended purpose. The Chinese aid initiative is still at the discussion stage, and its execution may extend until the year’s end. Additionally, no official decision has been made on the supplier selection.
Given this situation, if the 1,000 smart boards and other items stored in warehouses are to be distributed to schools, school heads must be given proper instructions on usage. However, due to the delay in the Chinese funded project, specific installation guidelines cannot be issued yet, the statement added.
Since network integration is not possible at this time, these smart boards will function only as standalone units. As a result, the project’s objectives remain unmet, and the LKR 1.7 billion investment may be deemed underutilised.
A formal investigation has been launched to determine whether financial and procedural misconduct has occurred in this procurement. Meanwhile, discussions continue with the Chinese government, and efforts are being made to secure the proposed facilities as soon as possible.
