Many benefits for education sector in 2013 budget - Bandula

Dharma Sri Abeyratne

The education sector received several benefits in the 2013 budget proposals, Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena said.

He said with the budgetary allocations, the entire education sector will be subjected to radical changes so as to form a knowledge centred education.

Speaking at the Information Department yesterday, the minister said many fruitful steps have been taken in the education sector in line with the Mahinda Chintana Idiri Dekma, the future vision of the government.

"These measures are being taken in accordance with the education sector development corporate plan 2012 - 2016 to reach the target of a knowledge centred education system," he said. The minister said the Examination Department is an independent institution, which conducts all examination related activities.

"The Examination Department functions as an independent body under the purview of the ministry," Gunawardena said. The 1,000 secondary school development programme to transform school education to prepare the country towards a 'knowledge hub,' is underway, the minister said.

Gunawardena said the secondary school development project is also carried out under the theme 'Transforming School Education Project' (TSEP).

The objective of TSEP is to enhance access and quality of primary and secondary education to provide a foundation for a knowledge-based economy and social development.

The Transforming School Education Project would support Sri Lanka's Education Sector Development Framework and Programme (ESDFP) 2012-2016. Under the first phase, 405 secondary schools have been selected to be upgraded. The schools under the 1,000 school development programme will have all facilities for the teaching and learning process, since the programme commenced aiming to develop 1,000 selected secondary schools and solve education related issues and shortcomings in rural schools, Minister Gunawardena said.

He said at least one school will be developed under the TSEP programme covering all divisional secretariat divisions in all districts. Equal opportunities will be provided to every child under this programme, he said. Education Deputy Minister Vijith Vijayamuni Zoysa said the ultimate aim is to produce professionals enriched with knowledge and special skills to develop the country.