The Hon. Ravindra Bandara

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, I am pleased to join this important discussion. Having served in education, I know the system must change to produce a culturally rooted, creative and quality human being. However, some misconceptions are being spread — that these reforms oppose the people’s mandate or are driven by external forces. That is false.

¶ 02 Another myth is that from Grades 6 to 11, history and aesthetics are removed. It is clearly stated they are compulsory to learn and to sit for at O/L. As everyone knows, our policy statement “A Prosperous Country - A Beautiful Life” also set out to produce the creative human required for the future world: foster free minds, raise vocational competencies, and produce quality students. We included “Early Childhood Development” with Government responsibility and professional training. We also emphasized learning environments that encourage freedom, as in developed countries.

¶ 03 Many students choose A/L streams not by preference but due to competition. Therefore, as per our policy, there will be a Grade 9 skills test so students can choose subjects based on interest and ability — a progressive step.

¶ 04 We will also establish new vocational universities. I know students highly talented in sport who abandoned it due to A/L subject choices. Now they can take sports as a subject and gain knowledge formally.

¶ 05 Do not analyze the reforms only within today’s context; align with the changing future. According to 2020 data, 45.3 per cent of Grade 1 entrants leave before A/L. The system is failing. The heavy schoolbags also cause health issues. The Grade 5 Scholarship exam remains for now, but it creates unnecessary competition and stress; in the future, when all schools are brought to equitable standards, the race will subside. The shortage of university places also fuels competition.

¶ 06 On history: it remains compulsory within choices. For example, if one chooses STEM, one must study Mathematics and ICT among four STEM subjects and two subjects from humanities and social sciences, including history and aesthetics — it is explicit.

¶ 07 People worry about having fewer term exams. Reducing exam pressure is intentional. The obsession with exams — children having no evenings or play — must change.

¶ 08 Regarding tuition: as a former tuition teacher, I know many tuition teachers were highly creative, even teaching free during the crisis and COVID. In the future creative environment, they too will have value. Some subject changes like separating pure and applied mathematics, concerns about removing certain business studies or IT combinations — the Prime Minister has stated discussions are open and reasonable proposals will be taken.

¶ 09 ICT will include data science and computer science. Let us also recognize the positive aspects.

¶ 10 Wouldn’t you like your child to study aviation technology at O/L? Film studies, health and sports, literary appreciation, media studies — these and more will be available. Our policy clearly envisioned introducing vocational subjects as options for O/L learners to select future pathways in construction and infrastructure, creative industries, primary industries, manufacturing and technology — producing capable students and a developed country. These reforms are necessary. Thank you.