Launching pad towards knowledge hub

Dharma Sri Abeyratne

The 1,000 secondary schools development programme aimed at transforming school education in the quest towards making Sri Lanka a 'knowledge hub,' is in full swing, Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena said.

Minister Bandula Gunawardena

The secondary school development project is carried out under the theme 'Transforming School Education Project' (TSEP). The objective of TSEP is to increase access to quality primary and secondary education to lay the foundation for knowledge-based economic and social development, the minister said.

TSEP will support Sri Lanka's Education Sector Development Framework and Programme (ESDFP) 2012-2016. Under the first phase, 405 secondary schools have been selected for upgrading.

The schools which come under the 1,000 school development programme, will be equipped with all facilities since the programme commenced, with the aim of developing 1,000 selected secondary schools to solve education related issues and shortcomings in disadvantaged rural schools, Minister Gunawardena said.

"At least one school in each divisional secretariat division will be developed under the TSEP programme. Under the programme, equal opportunities will be provided to every child. The ultimate aim is to produce professionals enriched with knowledge and special skills to develop the country. This will entail incorporating global education perspectives into the education system in line with growing global demands," he said.

Information Technology, science, mathematics, English, aesthetic studies and sports will form an integral part of the new educational vision. Schools with the best learning environment will provide students with better education. A language lab, a mathematics lab, an Information Technology lab and a science lab will be set up in every school coming under the 1,000 school development programme, the minster said.

He said although, a large numbers of students are admitted to the formal school system, only a handful of graduates emerge from the system.

"An education that will ensure the future well - being of the school population left out of the university system, will be provided under the new scheme," he said. The World Bank provided US $ 100 million (Rs 13.2 billion) for the project.