'We should keep pace with changing times'

Milton Dharmasinghe, Our Bulathsinhala Spl. Corr

'Over 100,000 Lankan youths are employed abroad, on their qualifications and skills', said Education Minister Bandula Gunewardene.

He was speaking at the Inter House Sports Meet awards ceremony at Prajapathi BMV, Horana recently.

The minister said prior to 1977, the education system was different. Students from Colombo schools were given preference to study abroad and for employment in the past.

'The situation has drastically changed today as the world has become a global village,' he said.

'Sri Lanka too should keep pace with the changing times and world trends.

Therefore, we must mould a generation equipped with good skills and advanced knowledge, to keep up with the changing trends. Schools and teachers have an important role to play in this respect,' Minister Gunewardene said. He said students should study science, maths, arts. Youths take a keen interest in learning foreign languages.

'According to the Mahinda Chinthana concept, a modern education programme has been introduced. Under this programme, 5,000 primary and 1,000 secondary schools have been opened,' he said.