The Hon. Mayilvaganam Jegatheeswaran

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, I am pleased to participate in today’s Committee Stage debate on the allocations for the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education.

¶ 02 Our National People’s Power Government is deeply committed to education. We have allocated the highest-ever funding in Sri Lanka’s history—2.04% of GDP, amounting to 704 billion rupees in Budget 2026. Compared with previous years, this is a significant increase. I extend sincere thanks to the Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Harini Amarasuriya.

¶ 03 For the North, several key items are included: 100 million rupees for a sewage treatment plant for Vavuniya University hostels; 64 million to upgrade the canteen of the Faculty of Applied Sciences; and 45 million for a health centre. I thank the Minister. During a recent visit to Jaffna and Vavuniya, the Minister of Vocational Education observed deficiencies in technical colleges. I requested funds in Budget 2026; accordingly, 40 million rupees each has been allocated to two technical colleges for development. Funds have also been allocated for the development of the Vavuniya National College of Education.

¶ 04 Many benefits arise from this Budget: 50 million rupees to provide a 5,000-rupee allowance for students with special needs; a 1,500-rupee additional allowance for principals; continued funding for school shoes and learning materials; and a further 2,500-rupee increase to the Mahapola scholarship this time, following the previous 2,500-rupee increase—raising it by 5,000 within two years. University students face great hardship; this will help.

¶ 05 On reforms: over 200,000 students exit after 13 years of schooling without meaningful outcomes. We now introduce vocational education from Grade 9, so they can acquire employable skills and leave with confidence rather than empty-handed.

¶ 06 Rural students face many issues—limited options to study mathematics and science at A/Ls due to lack of teacher resources and transport. Next year we will appoint teachers, and appointments should be made so teachers can serve where they live. Our NPP policy proposes district-based recruitment, lowering cut-offs appropriately and reducing transfer pressures. Transfers are a major issue; the Government is ready to introduce a suitable policy.

¶ 07 In the North, some teachers cannot be easily transferred. If inter-district transfers are granted with a 2–3 year condition, teachers will serve willingly, and when new teachers are appointed to those areas, the earlier batch can be released. Please consider such a transfer policy.

¶ 08 Finally, supernumerary principals have long been confined to the same school due to conditions restricting movement. Please remove this restriction and allow their transfers.

¶ 09 Thank you.