Aussie support for education

The Australian government announced its support to improve the quality of education for over four million schoolchildren, an Australian High Commission release said yesterday.

"This programme will benefit over four million schoolchildren, 250,000 teachers and 3,500 education managers and administrators across the country," Australia's High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Robyn Mudie said.

Key activities will include improving school infrastructure in needy schools, revising the curriculum and professional development for teachers. The programme will also help strengthen school management and monitoring and evaluation.

"A 'child-friendly school' approach will be used to improve learning achievements and increase attendance and retention in rural schools," Mudie said.

Australia's grant funding of Rs 4.6 billion over four years will complement US $ 100 million in concessional credit provided by the World Bank. The programme supports the government's Education Sector Development Framework and Programme as well as the Mahinda Chintana.

Australia's support will help Sri Lanka achieve the Millennium Development Goals, including universal primary education and promoting gender equality.

Australia's contribution will help more students to access quality education as well as reducing regional imbalances, and promoting social cohesion and inclusive education.

The four year programme is supported by funding from the World Bank and will be implemented by the Sri Lankan government.