150 More schools for ’13-years Compulsory School Education’ scheme
View(s):The 2nd Stage of ’13 years of Compulsory School Education’ scheme will be expanded to 150 more schools including Provincial schools with effect from May this year, said the outgoing Additional Secretary (Planning), Ministry of Education (MoE), S.U. Wijeratne.
Mr Wijeratne said that some 9,000 students will be benefiting from this scheme, while the programme implemented last year for the first time, benefited 2,400 students from 65 National schools.
The scheme was introduced in keeping with government policy that students will complete a minimum 13 years of Education, instead of dropping out after completing the GCE (Ordinary Level) exam. “This is the first time we have included the Provincial schools. One of the special features will be that subjects helpful in certain areas have been identified. For instance, in the Southern Province there will be a subject pertaining to the Cinnamon industry, as it is required in the area, while in Colombo it will be Event Management,” he added.
“Under this scheme, if students are interested in a particular subject, it will be introduced in that area.”
He said that some 2,100 teachers too will be recruited under this scheme, with Rs 3,500 million allocated for the scheme.
He said more new subjects will be introduced in Stage 3. - DW