Hon. (Dr.) Madhura Senevirathna - Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Speaker, on behalf of the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, I answer as follows:

¶ 02 (a) (i) The number of National Schools in Sri Lanka is 398. (ii) The names of those schools are presented by annex. As it is a long list, I table the annex. (iii) A summary by category is as follows (qualified vs. not qualified principals): - Sri Lanka Education Administrative Service Class I: 46 with qualified principals; 25 without. - SLEAS Class II/I: 88 with qualified principals; 159 without. (Placed in the Library.)

¶ 03 (iv) The reason for vacancies in principal posts, despite having eligible officers, is the low propensity to apply due to the responsibilities and duties attached to the principalship. Further, for certain schools that require SLEAS Class I officers to be principals, such officers have not applied, as observed at recent interviews. Therefore, going forward, when calling for applications to fill National School principal vacancies, if SLEAS Class I officers do not apply, SLEAS Class II officers will also be allowed to apply, by revising the appointment procedure in consultation with the Education Service Committee of the Public Service Commission.

¶ 04 (b) Not applicable.