Novel training for Uva Principals

The first workshop of a series of leadership and management training workshops designed for nearly 840 Principals of Uva Province, commenced on January 23 at the Meepe Education Leadership Development Institute.

Over 100 Principals from Madulla, Siyabalanduwa and Moneragala will participate in the first training programme which will be held for five days.

Uva Province Chief Minister Shashindra Rajapaksa addressing the gathering at the workshop. Education Ministry Additional Secretary S U Prematilake, Provincial Education Director R M P Ratnayake and National Institute of Education Assistant Director General I M K B Ilangasinghe were also present.

Based on a concept of Uva Province Chief Minister Shashindra Rajapaksa along with the Provincial Ministry and Department of Education, nine training programmes will be conducted in collaboration with Plan Sri Lanka; a child based international development organization working in Sri Lanka since 1981.

Chief Minister Shashindra Rajapaksa inaugurated the programme. Education Ministry Additional Secretary S U Prematilake, Provincial Education Director R M P Ratnayake, National Institute of Education Assistant Director General I M K B Ilangasinghe, along with provincial and national level education officials and Plan Sri Lanka Country director and staff participated in the inauguration ceremony.

Rajapaksa emphasized the important role of a Principal who is entrusted with the rewarding task of making a sensible and effective citizen.

"Where there is a good school there is a good Principal, and vice versa," he added.

Ilangasinghe shared the detailed agenda of the training with the audience and told the importance of developing one's knowledge and experience through training programmes such as discussions, sharing and reading. "There is a lot of new knowledge out there. We should organize ourselves to acquire those and apply them to suit our settings," he added.

Plan Sri Lanka Country Director Ned Espey commenting on the training said that participation in a training programme for Principals is something that can make a huge difference in the quality of education that young people receive in schools.

"Today the event highlights what the local and national governments can do together with an organization like Plan and we are extremely happy to contribute towards the uplift of the quality of education in Sri Lanka and in Uva Province," he said.

The main objectives of this training series are to enhance knowledge, application and experience of Principals on education management, new education trends, school internal monitoring process, child -friendly school concept, school based productivity, communication and presentation, child protection and care and those related to become an effective leader and a Principal.