Bridging the Digital Divide: A Comprehensive Assessment of Foundational Digital Literacy in the Vanni Region of Sri Lanka
The Harmony Centre, in collaboration with the GATE Institute, University of Vavuniya, successfully conducted a two-day Pilot ASER (Annual Status of Education Report) Survey and Pilot Digital Literacy Programme in Theravil Village, Mullaitivu, on 8 and 9 August 2026.
The programme brought together Project Coordinator Ms. S. Mathivathany, Director of the GATE Institute Ms. S. Mathangie and staff, university staff, international partners from PAL Network, volunteers, and members of the local community to support educational assessment and promote digital literacy at the grassroots level.
The first day focused on strengthening the capacity of volunteers through a Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop held at the Press Club, Mullaitivu. The workshop provided participants with the knowledge, skills, and practical guidance required to effectively conduct the Pilot ASER Survey and support digital literacy activities in the community.
As part of the programme, a Digital Literacy Awareness Session was also conducted for members of the public at the District Secretariat Office, Puthukkudiyiruppu. The session highlighted the importance of digital literacy and the practical use of digital technologies in everyday life, particularly in education, communication, access to information, and community engagement.
On the second day, trained volunteers and the project team carried out village-level data collection in Theravil as part of the Pilot ASER Survey. The fieldwork involved direct engagement with community members to gather information on educational and digital literacy levels within the village. It also provided valuable practical experience in implementing the pilot survey and identifying the specific educational and digital literacy needs of the community.
Overall, the two-day programme marked an important first step towards understanding the educational and digital literacy needs of rural communities in the Vanni region. The insights and practical experiences gained through the pilot will contribute to the planning of future educational and digital literacy initiatives, creating more targeted and meaningful opportunities for children, families, and communities.
The collaboration between the Harmony Centre and the GATE Institute, University of Vavuniya, with the support of university staff, international partners, volunteers, and community members, demonstrates the importance of collective action in strengthening education, digital inclusion, and community development at the grassroots level.
