Japan’s education system ideal model for SL - Bandula
Ridma DISSANAYAKE
Japan helps Sri Lanka to stand strong in the world stage, said
Education Minister Bandula Gunawardene addressing the inauguration of
the Asia Pacific Children’s Convention Mission Project 2013, at Sirimavo
Bandaranaike Balika Vidyalaya yesterday.
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Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena helping a Japanese
student to light the traditional oil lamp at the ceremony.
Picture by Roshan Pitipana |
“The education system functioning in Japan is ideal for Sri Lanka as
well. They are building a creative next generation via their education
system. All measures have been taken to make changes in our education
system to make a creative next generation by 2016. We launched that
special programme last year,” the minister said.
Minister Gunawardene who was Chief Guest, said Sri Lanka crushed
terrorism which had retarded the development work for three decades.
Making reference to Japan - Sri Lanka friendly ties dating back to the
end of World War 11, Minister Gunawardena said:“ Since that period,
mutual ties between the two countries strengthened aided by the fact
that both are Asian Buddhist countries.”
The Japanese delegations comprised 15 Japanese students and adults
who arrived on Sunday. They were handed over to the hosting families at
the ceremony. They will be staying in Sri Lanka for seven days. The
minister said arrangements are in place to upgrade 1,000 primary schools
in Sri Lanka to secondary level under the guidance of President Mahinda
Rajapaksa.
The World Bank and the Asian Development Bank have also agreed to
develop 412 schools among them, Minister Gunawardena said. “I thank the
Japanese government for its assistance to Sri Lanka during the last few
years in the sphere of developing Sri Lanka’s education system and
appreciate the service of Japanese volunteer teachers serving in Sri
Lanka. We hope to develop the proficiency in foreign languages. We
believe that Japan will help us to make it a success,” he said. |
