|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Friday, 24 December 2004 |
 |
|
 |
Politics | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
| Education revitalized under President The education sector has made vast strides during the last six-month period under the stewardship of President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga as Education Minister. The Education Ministry which is being steered by Secretary Dr. Tara De Mel had been able to achieve some of the education sector's targets planned through a six-year time frame, within a short six month period, a Ministry spokesman said yesterday. This spokesman said that the ministry, since the coming into power of the UPFA Government was able to streamline the Grade one admissions, text books and uniform material distribution procedures while recommencing the morning meals program for school children in malnourished areas, a spokesman for the ministry said. With a view to ensure quality education state funding for this sector has been increased by about Rs.3 billion, from Rs.43,490 million last year to Rs.56,430 million this year. The grade one admissions process which was alleged to be overrun by corruption was altered by the ministry this year. A fresh circular with transparent guidelines was issued early this year to minimise malpractice involving the admissions process and parents were allowed to appeal to the ministry against any injustice, a right that was denied by the previous Government. The Government's landmark initiative,the mega graduate employment drive was also shouldered by the Education Ministry by effectively contributing to provide orientation for the first 17,000 graduates, a joint effort with the Finance Ministry, the National Youth Services Council and the district Secretaries. The Ministry paid special attention to develop rural schools under its Navodya schools project. A total of 397 schools islandwide received IT and science laboratories, libraries and other fundamental inputs creating access for quality education for rural students. In view of the deteriorating morals and values among school children the Ministry launched a special program in schools targeting social and personal development of students. This program will be extended to universities in the future. One of the Ministry's priority areas, English Education was given maximum attention with the introduction of activity based oral English in primary classes, general English at GCE Advanced Level, an area which remained completely neglected for decades. IT education was another sector which saw great progress during the past six months and the university intake to IT programs have been doubled from this year. Nearly 600 more students will be admitted to universities for the 2004/2005 batch over the previous batch with additional students to almost all the faculties except the Medical stream. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
