Broadbased mechanism to develop formal education system - PM

by Rohan Mathes

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse asserts when elected President, he will formulate a broadbased mechanism to provide a formal education to those shunning school education, a burning social issue now.

The Premier said this when he met a group of Informal Education Project officers, Civic Education Centre officers and Rural Instructors, at Temple Trees yesterday.

Rajapakse pointed out the growing and paramount importance of leading the 98 per cent of those leaving school and deprived of a university education, towards a formal education system, to secure suitable employment thereafter.

When he was Labour Minister, he had established the Vocational Training Authority for that purpose. As elders we bear the onus of protecting our children, as they are our future, he said, and he is committed to encourage and inspire them to move with the modern world of today.

He would take all measures to uplift the local economy by providing his fullest assistance to the self-employed by the provision of vocational training and more opportunities for self-employment. He would protect and consolidate their rights insomuch as they could engage in their vocations with dignity and pride.

Rajapakse added that he would increase the present Instructors' allowances and accelerate the delayed promotions of Project Officers.

Minister Susil Premajayantha and many other officials participated at the meeting.