The Hon. (Dr.) M.L.A.M. Hizbullah

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, we commend the Education Minister, Hon. Harini Amarasuriya, for courageously advancing this new education reform despite criticisms from some quarters. She has resolved to bring necessary changes to Sri Lanka’s education system and to implement them by January 2026. We should all support this, setting aside differences.

¶ 02 Our country has been operating with a 30-35 year-old education model while many countries have reformed both university and school systems. The proposed plan, based on a structured foundation for primary and secondary education, should be implemented with everyone’s cooperation and with the Government providing necessary facilities in schools.

¶ 03 More than 50 per cent of schools have fewer than 200 students. This has a major impact on education quality. Hon. Prime Minister, you are an accomplished and learned person, which is why this responsibility has been entrusted to you.

¶ 04 There are many schools without principals, especially in the Eastern Province. The absence of principals has significantly lowered school standards. Teachers are paid more than principals in some instances, while principals have to shoulder heavier responsibilities. The President announced on 13.04.2021 the introduction of a new allowance for principals, including travelling and fuel allowances. This is good policy. It would encourage SLEAS officers to serve as principals in National Schools as well. If you can take steps to fill principal vacancies with quality appointments, we can uplift the grades of schools with under 200 students.

¶ 05 Please give me one minute more, Sir.

¶ 06 As you are changing syllabuses and systems to raise school standards, the same must be done for universities. Hon. Prime Minister, the university syllabuses are outdated—many were introduced more than ten years ago. Subjects must be modernized. Today, even IT degrees at our universities use syllabuses over a decade old, while IT changes every minute. Please reform university syllabuses, the education system and methods of teaching, just as you are doing in schools. I congratulate you and conclude. Thank you.