New Education Standards Act to be introduced: PM

Addressing the Subhaga Scholarship Awards Ceremony held at the Temple Trees yesterday, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the New Education Standard Act comprising all the changes required to enhance the quality of the country’s education will be introduced in the near future.Wickremesinghe underscored that during the past three years, the government had implemented several programmes for the improvement of facilities in schools. But, the qualitative development of education in Sri Lanka is not up to the mark.

“Paying our attention towards quality education is an important factor. We have to provide scope and ensure quality education.

I have already instructed Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam to take necessary measures to develop national standards for education,” the Premier said.

The Prime Minister further said that the quality of education will improve the learning process. But, improving the quality of education is not an overnight development.

“Qualified and trained teachers, better infrastructural facilities, up-to-date curriculum and regular assessments of the students are the main tools of ensuring quality education,” the Prime Minister said.

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said that education inspectors in England is considered as a very important profession and they care called Her Majesty’s Inspectors of Education. They are responsible for the inspection of public and independent, primary and secondary schools, higher education colleges, community learning, Local Authority Education Departments and teacher education.

“The contribution of teachers is significant in ensuring the quality of the country’s education system. Therefore,it is essential to engage trained teachers in all schools to strengthen the teaching and learning process,” the Prime Minister said.

“The government has focused special attention towards all teacher requirements such as teacher recruitment to schools, training, national policy on teacher transfers, grading and promotions of teachers, teacher salaries and welfare services,” the Prime Minister said.

“Measures would be taken to make teacher training compulsory within the next four to five years. So the teachers who have not yet undergone training should complete their training by then,” the Premier added.