The Hon. Nalin Hewage - Deputy Minister of Vocational Education

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, on behalf of the Prime Minister and Minister:

¶ 02 (a) (i) Only the roof of one building at the Jaffna College of Technology is in a dilapidated condition.

¶ 03 (ii) Steps are already underway to allocate funds in 2026 to carry out necessary renovations.

¶ 04 (iii) For 2025, Rs. 3.5 million has been allocated for infrastructure improvements at Jaffna College of Technology and Rs. 3.149 million for the Vavuniya Technical College. Some projects are completed; others are ongoing.

¶ 05 (b) (i) Facilities required to commence hybrid and modern vehicle repair courses have already been installed at colleges, including establishing equipped workshops at Jaffna College of Technology for hybrid motor mechanics courses.

¶ 06 (ii) Most courses offered at technical/industrial colleges award the National Vocational Qualification (NVQ), and all curricula are periodically updated by the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission within appropriate timelines.

¶ 07 (iii) For colleges lacking modern equipment, procurement arrangements for 2026 are in progress.

¶ 08 (c) (i) Approval has been obtained to recruit 100 instructors on permanent basis and 100 on contract; processes are underway.

¶ 09 (ii) Same as (i).

¶ 10 (iii) Quality assurance and regulatory functions, including quality and quality management of courses, are under the supervision of the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission. Uniform curricula for equivalent courses, a common certification (NVQ) with common assessment procedures ensure equal standards island-wide.

¶ 11 (d) Not applicable.