EPDP cashes in on demand for computer education

By Nirupama Subramanian

JAFFNA, JUNE 3. This is a town where almost everybody you meet has been displaced in the ethnic conflict at least once, and sometimes as many as 16 times. People are bent double under the uncertainties of not knowing when, if ever, the war will end.

Every bit of construction bears the scars of the conflict. Some buildings have escaped with pockmarks, while others, like the library, are just shells.

In the middle of all this is the grandly named, Government-funded Information Technology Park, housed in a newly repaired and painted building, that promises to churn out youngsters fully trained in all the major computer-related skills.

A case of wrong priorities? Or a wish come true for Jaffna's Generation X?

Going by the demand for the courses offered at the IT Park, the latter, it would seem.

The centre, which offers hardware and software courses, including programming languages, web-designing and desk- top publishing, has been inundated by applicants, mostly teenagers or those in their early 20s, since its inauguration two months ago.

The people of the peninsula value education above everything else, and have been only too painfully aware that the conflict has deprived them of opportunities to participate in the global revolution triggered by computers and the internet.

According to Mr. Douglas Devananda, the Minister of Development, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of the North and leader of the Eelam People's Democratic Party (EPDP), as many as 1,500 students have registered for the first sessions in all courses.

The fees is heavily subsidised by the Government and range from Rs. 700 to Rs. 1,500 for a two to three months training programme.

The centre was set up at a cost of Rs. 5 million. It has 40 computers, and aims to get another 60 machines. There is a `cyber caf' and a children's computer games corner.

Even the EPDP's political rivals have, for once, not been critical.

``It is a good move. There is a demand for computer education in Jaffna, and I hear the institute is serving the students of the area,'' said Mr. V. Anandasangaree, a Jaffna MP from the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF).

However, the TULF said it was wary of the political motive behind this and all other development activities that the EPDP was initiating as a partner in the Kumaratunga Government.

``He (Mr. Devananda) has been given unlimited resources to do whatever he wants. No one can ask any questions about how he spends the money. It's like the iron curtain. He will obviously use the funds to win over the people,'' said Mr. Anandasangaree.

The TULF leader said he hoped there would no discrimination in admissions to the institute against those who did not profess Mr. Devananda's politics, which, at the moment, revolve around giving unstinted support to the Kumaratunga Government.

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