Parliament

'Govt allocates 6.4 percent of GDP to education'

Sandasena MARASINGHE, Irangika RANGE and Disna MUDALIGE

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa presided when Parliament met at 9.30 am yesterday.

After presentation of papers and oral questions, the House took up the committee stage debate on the Appropriation Bill 2013 for the ninth allotted day.

The committee too up the financial head of the Education Ministry for debate.

Akila Viraj kariyawasam (UNP):

It is the responsibility of the government to develop human resources. We have to pay our special attention to over 4 million schoolchildren in the country. A sufficient allocation should be made by the government to fulfill the needs of schoolchildren.

The allocations made to the education sector has reduced significantly compared to 1990s. The allocation for the education sector is 10 percent of the GDP in 1990s. But it has gone down to 4 percent of the GDP today. How can you improve human resources with this less allocation?

It is necessary to increase the allocation at least by 6 percent of the GDP gradually. There are a number of problems prevailing in the education sector currently. The entire sector has been politicized. There is a shortage of principals and teachers in schools. Principals and teachers are being appointed through political influence.

The government has not rectified the salary anomalies of teachers. Rs. 75 million should be allocated to pay the arrears of the salaries of teachers. But the government has not allocated this amount so far. There are a number of problems pertaining to the transfers of teachers.

Education Deputy Minister Wijith Wijayamuni Zoysa:

Education is a right of all the citizens. Our vision is to reach excellence in the global society through competent citizens who share the Sri Lankan identity. The government has allocated 6.4 percent of the GDP to the eduction sector. These funds will be utilized not only for general education, but also for provincial councils, vocational training, higher eduction, sports, research and capacity building. We have targeted not only school children but also school leavers.

We have achieved a significant development in computer literacy and per capita income due to high priority given to the eduction sector. Facilities have been improved at rural schools. Eduction is expected to reach new standards through the redesigning of 1000 secondary schools and 5000 primary schools. Steps have been taken to prevent child abuse cases. It has been targeted to create a student generation with sound physical and mental health. Programmes such as medication, counselling and yoga, have been introduced to schools to mould a virtues society.

Pon Selvarasa (TNA):

The allocation made to the eduction sector through this budget is not sufficient. It is only 4.8 percent of the GDP. How can the government provides facilities for islandwide schools with this?. There are problems in schools in the North and East. Only four schools in the North and East have been provided with required facilities so far.

There is a severe teacher shortage for Maths and science subjects in the North and East. It is reported that it is difficult to find money to provide midday meals for schoolchildren. So, how can you continue the programme of providing midday meals for children. Buildings of schools are not property maintained. Economic Development Deputy Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena:

Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena convened about 40 consultative meetings for education during the past few years, to get the suggestions and proposals of all stakeholders for the uplift of the education sector.

Major educational reforms are required by the country. The ministry is working towards this end. The government has recruited 56,000 graduates as teachers so far. Aesthetic graduates were given appointments by the government putting an end to a long delay.

The secondary and primary education systems are being reformed to suit the modem era. The science education should be promoted. Urgent changes are essential to the education system to make the country a knowledge hub.

Salary anomalies among principals should be rectified and the ministry's attention has payed to this fact.

Deputy Chairman of Committees Murugesu Chandrakumar takes the Chair.

Ranjith Madduma Bandara (UNP):

Most developed and developing countries make greater allocation for eduction considering it as a most significant sector. However, the government brings out the fact that the overall amount, the country spends for education, is much higher than the government allocation. However, the recommendation is to allocate 6 percent of the GDP for education.

Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena:

When other countries calculate the allocation for eduction as a percentage of the GDP, expenses borne by the private and government sectors are taken into account. There is no theory that this entire 6 percent should be borne by the government alone.

Ranjith Madduma Bandara:

in the Mahinda Chinthana, it was mentioned that all schoolchildren would be provided free lunch. I would like to ask how many school children are receiving this free lunch.

Acting principals are to be given permanent appointments without considering the due procedure and qualifications. How can the government improve the education sector in this manner?

Namal Rajapaksa (UPFA):

Any leader of a country gives prominent attention to education policies as the same as fiscal polices. The President has given a significant attention to improve the quality of the eduction system.

He has always been keen on developing rural schools. There is a teacher shortage in these schools. During the last few years', the government recruited more teachers for these schools.

In the Northern Province, the eduction sector is being revived. The child soldiers who were forced to bear weapons are now going back to schools. The government has created an environment for them to learn.

There were controversial issues in the eduction sector in the recent past such as the Z score issue, errors in examination papers and delay in paper marking. However, we must detach politics from education. We should not let anybody take petty political advantage from these issues.

The government always took the stand of students. The government wanted to makes sure that no student faces injustice. We admire local values. However, we have still been unable to formulate a local education policy suitable to our country. Our education policies must be reformed to cater to the goals of the Mahinda Chinthana. The time is ripe for this move. It is only through reforms that we can face global challenges.

Construction, Engineering Services, Housing and Common Amenities Deputy Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna:

The education sector has achieved more goals over the past years. However, more is to be done. The government is working towards this end.

The quality of education depends upon the teacher cadre of the country. We have got qualified and skilled teachers. It was stressed over the past few years that teacher centered education should be changed to student centered education. Many changes were introduced to cater to this end. However, we have to admit that we have still been unable to make this shift practically. The classroom structure is still the same as in the past. We cannot be satisfied in this situation, and the government is well aware of this.

The lessons given in the grade 5 aim at the scholarship exam. The necessary weight to improve students' skills is not given.

There is a shortage of agriculture teachers. It is necessary to avert this shortage as agricultural resurgence is expected to take place in the North and East.

Sunil Handunnetti (DNA):

Some members ask us not to make free education a political matter. But CWW Kannangara in his report said free education is a result of a political campaign. So, if children study free of charge, it is a result of a political struggle.

The budget says that 4 percent of the national income is spent on a education. But it should be calculated as a percentage of the government expenditure. However, when the allocation for education is calculated, it should be excluded of the money spent by parents to educate children at international schools. This is an attempt to put the burden of education on parents.

The issues of salary anomalies and promotions have to be addressed by the authorities.

Chandrakumar Musugesu (UPFA):

I would like to say that eduction in the North and East which faced many problems is coming back to normal. With resettlement in these areas, studies began in schools. Parents and children thank the President for this remarkable progress within 3 years.

Most schools are being constructed with foreign funds and other institutions in the North and East. Buildings are not enough to develop education in those areas. Laboratories and electricity for labs are needed. In Kilinochichi, there are 254 children without parents. Their attendance to schools are not satisfactory. Education in the North was so standard those days that even children in the South attended to those schools. But with the conflict, the standard diminished. Again, education in those areas is being restored by the government.

Thalatha Athukorala (UNP):

The first dialogue on free eduction was initiated by the UNP. Around 4 million students attend to schools. About 2.9 million are attending to rural schools in Kollenna. There are schools that do not have toilet facilities and 7 without drinking water supply.

I suggest that there should be a mechanism to maintain the quality of education. It is a pathetic situation that trained teachers are under the inspection of graduate teachers.

Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathuideen:

I can remember during the period of conflict, teachers and students in my area faced many travails. They did not have buildings.

A H M Azwer takes the Chair

They continued their studies with minimum facilities sometimes under tress.

Facilities of schools in the North and East have been uplifted. It is necessary to address the shortage of Science and Mathematics teachers. There are a number of volunteer teachers in the North and East. They must be provided with permanent teaching appointments. Teachers and students were battered by the 30 years long war.

Therefore, it is necessary to provide all possible solutions for their problems.

Niroshan Perera (UNP):

UNP MP Thalatha Athukorala takes the Chair.

The government has not given due consideration and recognition to education. The allocation made for the education sector is not sufficient. The government spends a huge amount of money to maintain a huge Cabinet, but it has allocated a low amount of money for the education sector.

Culture and the Arts Minister T. B. Ekanayake:

This is a people friendly budget. The budget has given a prominent place to education. A rapid development has taken place in the education sector for the past seven years. Our literary rate has increased to 96 percent while the literary rates are 55 percent, 55 percent and 51 percent respectively in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal. President Mahinda Rajapaksa as a father who loves children has proposed many relief measures to schoolchildren.

We should appreciate the proposals of providing midday meals, two uniforms and a pair of shoes for schoolchildren.

Resettlement Minister Gunaratne Weerakoon:

The government has initiated a programme to develop 1,000 secondary schools and 5,000 primary schools. At least, three schools will be established with facilities of Advanced Level science, math, language, commerce and art sections in each divisional secretariat area.

Wasantha Aluvihare (UNP):

The education sector is politicized. The government should bear the responsibility for that. Taxes on private schools have been lifted. What will happen to the students who are going to rural schools from this move?

Tuition classes are widely spreading in the country and this sector should be recognized properly. Free education should not be betrayed. There must be an investigation as to why students depend so much on tuition. Where does the fault lie?

Mohan Lal Grero (UPFA):

The Education Ordinance, we have, is now outdated. It was formulated in 1939. We have made a National Education Policy with the support of all stakeholders. It has been printed in all three languages. We request the MPs to analyze this policy and make comments as to what should be further included. This was not an easy task. It was a move which could not be done for 72 years. The National Education Policy will soon be presented for approval of the House.

Three thousand graduates were given appointments as English, Science and Mathematics teachers. However some of them did not take the appointments since they were given to rural areas. However, as the graduates who obtained free education, they should have had some feeling towards the country.

Under the 1,000 secondary school development programme, 63 schools in the Northern Province and 85 schools in the Eastern Province have been selected to be upgraded. Under the first phase, 34 schools in the Northern Province and 72 schools in the Eastern Province have been selected and money has been allocated for the purpose. Contracts have been offered for the development work on these schools.

Some Opposition MPs who shed crocodile tears on education have not participated even in consultative committee meetings on education.

Even though, there were criticisms of closing down schools, the number of schools in the country has increased by 321 from 2009 to 2011.

The government has allocated Rs 4.28 million to develop 25 technical colleges which have the facility to obtain National Vocational Qualification up to level 6. This programme will extend until 2015.

The unemployment rate of the country is as low as 4 percent. However, the youth unemployment is 16 percent. The unemployment rate among the youths who have obtained 3 passes in the A/L exam is 24 percent.

One reason for that is these youths are seeking white collar jobs. An attitudinal change is necessary to change this situation.

There are about 22,000 English teachers in the country. A special programme to train these teachers have been implemented with the support of the British Council. We are considering to give marks for English listening and speaking skills in the Ordinary Level exam.

Sivasakthy Anandan (TNA):

Education in war torn areas must be revived. People in these areas are undergoing many economic hardships. Children do not have permanent schools.

Voluntary teachers are teaching in these temporary schools. These schools must be given prominent attention. Physical and mental health of these children must be monitored and facilities must be given for this purpose.

Y G Padmasiri (UPFA):

Plans have been made for a radical transformation in the education sector. I appreciate these moves. I request the ministry to present the National Education Policy to Parliament for approval soon.

It was a commendable move and there should not be undue delays in this regard. The 1,000 secondary schools development programme is highly appreciable.

Rural schools are getting modern facilities under this programme as never before in history. Closed schools are now reopened.

Abdul Haleem (UNP):

The pleasant feeling we had about Bandula Gunawardena as the Education Minister is faded now. The Education Ministry had problems with examinations. On the other hand, there were problems with university lecturers. Education is the field that decides the future of the children of the country. The amount allocated for education is 2.5 percent of the GDP, not 4.1 percent.

Aslam Saleem Mohammed (UPFA):

Ten percent of students in schools are admitted to universities and another 40 percent are recruited to technical colleges. This initiative was taken by this government.

Eric Prasanna Weerawardena (UPFA):

This government has paid a special attention to education in its path to make the country the Miracle of Asia. This government has taken initiatives to change education in a positive direction. This year, grade 1 classes were removed in 372 schools and Mahindodaya Information Technology Laboratories have been initiated in 409 schools. So, no body can say our promises are only policies.

Deputy Chairman of Committees Chandrakumar Murugesu takes the Chair.

Ven Athuraliye Rathana Thera (UPFA): First, we should have a national policy on education. So, initiatives have been taken in that direction. However, there are 16 percent of schools which have less than 50 students. On the other hand, about 50 percent of students leave education after ordinary level education. After A/L, about 30 percent leave the education system. Out of there students, we form our labour force. However, we should formulate a mechanism to give a vocational training to those students who leave school after O/L as well as A/L. There are students in grade 8 and 10 who cannot read or write letters. This matter is being discussed. There should also be a mechanism to educate parents on nutrition for children.

Ajith Kumara (Independent): Members talk the problems of question papers. But, there should be a wide discussion on education. The government is reducing its contribution to education and putting the burden on parents. I respect all who voiced the need of allocation of 6 percent of the GDP for education. Mohan Lal Grero said education is to find an employment. That is his vision.

Sriyani Wijewickrama (UPFA):

The government has allocated a sufficient amount of funds to develop the education sector. There is a rapid development in the sector under the present regime. Facilities of schools in both rural and urban areas have been uplifted under the 1,000 secondary schools and 5,000 primary schools development programmes.

Dr. Ramesh Pathirana (UPFA):

Minister Bandula Gunawardena's initiative of developing 1,000 secondary and primary schools is very important and appreciative. It is necessary to covert our education system to suite the needs of the international job market. Education should not only improve knowledge but also attitudes and skills.

R. Yogarajan (UNP):

Government members said there are no monitoring members in this government. But we all know there is a monitoring member for the Education Ministry. It is contradictory. How is this MP acting as a monitoring member while running a private school.

Dinesh Gunawardena: This MP speaks nothing relevant to the education sector.

Education Minister Bandula Gunawardene:

Nearly 4 million students are studying at 900,000 schools across the country. Based on the concept of 'Education is first' created by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, the government has given top priority to develop and invest in the education sector.

We started a project of providing Laptops for schoolchildren. Our major aim is to provide equal education facilities for all schoolchildren in the country. Under the Mahindodaya programme, we have established 54 schools with all facilities. There are talented students in rural areas. Our target is to reveal their talent to the world by providing facilities. Every secondary school will consist of Mahindodaya technological laboratory, advanced level laboratory, green house, dental surgery, sports complexe, environment beautification, aesthetics unit and auditorium.

The finance heads of the Education Ministry was passed without amendments.

The House was adjourned until 9.30 am today.

Ranil's clash with MP in Chair:

Speaker to peruse recording

Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa yesterday said he would take corrective measures if there has been any infringement on the part of the Chair to a member of the House the previous day (Monday).

The speaker said he would go through the recordings of the proceedings on Monday to decide if any infringement had been caused by member who was presiding the House in speaker's absence.

The Speaker said that he would instruct the members today (Wednesday) on the regulations that they should follow when the House is presided over by an MP. The Speaker made this observation when Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe raising a point of order complained against the conduct of a presiding member.

The Opposition Leader apologized if he caused any inconvenience to the speaker by his argument with the presiding member on Monday.

The Speaker said that it was a complaint against the Chair of the House of Parliament and he would peruse the records of the proceedings and come to a decision.

Rs 35,000 m to pay teachers' arrears

Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena yesterday told in Parliament that Rs 35,000 million has been allocated for 2013 to pay the arrears of teachers.

He was making the reply speech of the committee stage of the budget debate when the expenditure head of the Education Ministry was taken up. The Minister said that plans are afoot to make education reach new standards through the redesigning of 1,000 secondary schools and 5,000 primary schools. With the vision of reaching excellence in the global society through competent citizens who share the Sri Lankan identity, we have planned to initiate programmes for conspicuous improvement in the levels of student performance, he said. We have planned to develop information and communication skills of students. Priority has been given to mould students with sound physical and mental health, he said.