Laying of foundation stone for three storied hostel building proposed to be built for staff of National Institute of Education was held yesterday (28) morning under the patronage of Education Minister Mr. Akila Viraj Kariyawasam Attorney at law.
There the education minister observed the new five storied building consist with mathematics, science, technical laboratories and lecture halls.
The education minister Mr. Akila Viraj Kariyawasam stated already various main stream companies have made offers for jobs for students undergoing vocational training under 13 year certified education programme even before they finish school education.
The minister stated that yesterday (21) in a ceremony held at the auditorium of education ministry to award appointments to 226 graduates to fill Sinhala and Tamil media teachers vacancies at national and provincial schools on vocational subjects under thirteen year guaranteed education programme.
Member of Parliament Education Sectorial Oversight Committee, Matale district Mrs. Rohini Kumari Wijerathna Galle district Mr. Wijepala Hettiarachchi and secretary of education Mr. M. N. Ranasinghe addressed the ceremony.
Free text book distribution for all government school children and piriven student monks for year 2020 officially commenced on Friday 16th August 2019.
The official ceremony held at Homagama Pitipana Education Publication Department ware house complex at 10.30 a.m. under the patronage of education minister Mr. Akila Viraj Kariyawasam Attorney at law.
The education minister Mr. Akila Viraj Kariyawasam has instructed the Education publication Department that text books of all school children for year 2020 and teacher guide of teachers should be given before end of 2019 last term school holidays.
The government this time spends Rs. 4,165 million only for awarding of free text books. 43 millions of copies of 448 types of books will be given to students.
54 types of books will be awarded to piriven student monks from grade 1 to 5. These 448 types of books include grade 1 to 11 school student’s text books and 12th grade General English text book.
The Education Commissioner General Mr. Jayantha Wickramanayake stated that 1175 distribution centers established in Zonal Education office and selected schools will supply school text books and teacher manuals for other schools. For all national schools and provincial schools with more than 1500 students will be provided directly the text books and teacher manuals by the education publication department.
The education minister Mr. Akila Viraj Kariyawasam Attorney at law recently instructed officials to give the opportunity to children in children homes to enter to the nearest national school ensuring equal education right of all children in Sri Lanka. More over the minister has emphasized that steps should be taken to treat admitted children equal same as other children.
Accordingly, the ministry of education has informed all principals of national schools to give the opportunity to parentless children in government registered children homes to enter the nearest national school by Circular number 38/2019 dated 2019-07-31.
It is mentioned in this Circular that the approval of ministry of education should be obtained having examined the application submitted by the guardian of childrens home prior entering parentless children in children homes to intermediate grades.
And as per the sub section 4.5 of Circular 29/2019 issued with regard to admittance of children to grade one of schools the guardian of children home is considered as the legal guardian of every child in children home. Accordingly the guardian has to refer the relevant applications. The education ministry requests the guardians of children homes to take the opportunity provided for the benefit of children’s future education.
The ministry of education has paid attention to give a special chance to children of tax payers to government to enroll their children to national schools as an encouragement.
The education minister Mr. Akila Viraj Kariyawasam stated that the main idea of giving an opportunity is to encourage and evaluate contribution of generous tax payers to government for the growth of national income.
The minister stated assistance of Inland Revenue Department will be taken in preparing criteria of enrolling these children.
A preliminary discussion was held yesterday (21) in this regard at the ministry of education under the patronage of minister. Also a group of officers along with Commissioner General of Inland Revenue Department Mr. Nadun Guruge participated for that.
The education minister, Mr. Akila Viraj Kariyawasam stated that steps should be taken to enhance English language skills of school students of this country to win global education aims.
Accordingly, using the syllabus provided by National Education Institute in a more productive manner steps have been taken now to issue a circular and guide lines with regard to English language for teachers who prepare a learning plan and engage in classroom teacher learning process. According to the guide lines it has been suggested to hold one day per week as an English communication day in future in all schools to do communication affairs of students in English.
Accordingly, from second school term of this year this evaluation system has been introduced to all provinces of island to term tests of 6, 7, 8 grades. It is expected in future to operate this system up to grade 11 in school level as an evaluation.
The Public Service Commission has transferred its approving authority of retirement of three services Sri Lanka Education Administration Service, Sri Lanka Teacher Educator Service and Sri Lanka Principal Service to the Secretary Ministry of education.
The ministry was informed by some officers that there was a delay in obtaining pension for months as there were difficulties in giving approval even for the files forwarded with all documents. Accordingly authority of approving has been given in response to the request made by Ministry of Education from Public Service Commission on instructions of education minister Mr. Akila Viraj Kariyawsam Attorney at law.
The ministry has the power of approving except officers having disciplinary matters and other problems who made requests to retire on due date under normal procedure only.
The officers who expect to retire have to forward his complete application before six months prior to the retirement.
The ministry pointed out that nearly twenty two thousand officers of these three service will get the chance to retire on due date.
In the meantime national school teachers, provincial school teachers hope to retire have to forward the retirement application to the provincial education office. The ministry stated by forwarding complete application before 06 months to that office will get the chance to receive the pension on due date without any delay.
Administration building constructed at Paragahadeniya National School under the project “nearest school is the best school” was declared open with the participation of the Priminister Mr. Ranil Wickramasingha and Education Minister Mr. Akila Viraj Kariyawasam.
Opening of Secondary Junior Laboratory at Digampitiya Sri Piyarathana Maha Vidyalaya
The Secondary Junior Laboratory constructed at Digampitiya Sri Piyarathana Maha Vidyalaya under the project “nearest school is the best school” was declared open by Priminister Mr. Ranil Wickramasingha with the participation of Education Minister Mr. Akila Viraj Kariyawasam. State Minister Mr. J.C. Alawathuwala also was present at this occasion.
Here are the special events of this occasion.
The education minister Mr. Akila Viraj Kariyawasam Attorney at law has instructed officials to take correct steps in preparing school curricula enabling to create efficient children suit modern world, developing along with new knowledge and skills through education.
Accordingly under the new curricula reform due to come in to operation in 2023 instead of the method prevailed science syllabus of schools up to now the education ministry has taken steps to introduce a science education based on research methodology.
The education ministry, National education institute, National association of advancement of science have jointly taken steps now to introduce this new curricula based on research admittance for science subject.
Considering school curricula related to science subject of other developed countries of the world this curricula reform is to make universal citizens with an access suits to future, economic development, local identity.
This curricula reform is done in accordance with world recognized job opportunities through STEM Education (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) which children could access to. Under these amendments steps will be taken for children to provide an opportunity to learn work, based on projects more practical to learn subjects instead of getting through examinations from by heart knowledge limited to text books.
It has been suggested to include reform to this curricula to include activities to evaluate students constantly on subject related matters and to exclude evaluations only on a written examination.us
The action has been taken now to do these subject reform providing more opportunities for student analysis ability, problem solving ability and innovative thinking.
