President orders:
Regulatory mechanism for int’l schools
Chaminda PERERA
President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday ordered officials to bring all
international schools operating in the country under a regulatory
mechanism. He stressed that the younger generation should not be led
astray.
The President was speaking at the Education Ministry progress review
meeting at the Ministry auditorium yesterday.
It was the first meeting chaired by the President at ministry level
to review the progress of the programmes implemented by the respective
ministries.
The President made this announcement when an official of the
Education Ministry said that international schools have been registered
under the Companies Act and these international schools are beyond their
purview.
He stressed the importance of bringing new legislation to bring
international schools under a regulatory arm. “This regulatory mechanism
has to be implemented soon ,whoever raises opposition”. The President
added that history, religion and the mother tongue have to made
compulsory subjects to the students of International schools.
He said these students should learn of their religion, language and
the country’s history. “There should be a single policy with regard
to religion, mother tongue and history subjects in all schools”, he
said.
President Rajapaksa also said that some form of sport too has to be
made compulsory in schools as most students suffer from some sort of
depression due to lack of exercise to their bodies.
Education Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Jayaratne said a Cabinet
Memorandum has been prepared for the compulsory allocation of time in
schools for physical exercises. He said that new physical training
instructors would be recruited to the Ministry to give children physical
and theoretical knowledge to the students.
Economic Development minister Basil Rajapaksa, Education Minister
Bandula Gunawardena, Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage were also
present. |