Contribution of Computer Literacy for Socio-economic Development in Rural Areas of Sri Lanka

Abstract

This paper scrutinizes the relationship between rural development and computer literacy in Sri Lanka. As a developing country, Sri Lanka has significantly paid attention to enhance the computer literacy in both urban and rural areas. The computer literacy surveys show that the computer literacy of Sri Lanka has dramatically increased during the last decade. According to the census, 22.4 percent of total households of Sri Lanka have at least one desktop or laptop by 2014, and the figure of rural area is about 20.4 percent. One of the major objectives of increasing the computer literacy is to expedite the socio-economic development in Sri Lanka. Therefore this study explains the relationship between computer literacy and rural development progress of Sri Lanka. The study is based on primary and secondary data and information. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected using semi-structured questionnaires, focused group discussions, field observations and key informant discussions. Wellandura Grama Niladari Division of Kahawaththa Divisional Secretariat Division in Rathnapura District was selected as the study area, and 50 respondents has been selected for sample survey. It was conducted 05 focused group discussions to collect the qualitative data. Both qualitative and quantitative data analyse techniques were applied. The results of the study clearly show that there is no satisfactory positive relationship between literacy computer of villagers and their village development. The young generation of the study area has better computer literacy but they do not like agriculture sector or self-employment. The majority of people including younger generation use their computer literacy for entertainment purposes like maintain Facebook, watching YouTube, playing computer games, etc. the parents of school children are totally disgusted about their children‟s computer literacy because of avoiding homework misbehaviour, and they think that their children will face many socio-cultural and especially sexual abuses through computers.