‘School Education, foundation of Knowledge Hub’, a success- MoE
View(s):A project launched by the Ministry of Education (MoE) to transform the School Education System as the foundation of the knowledge hub, has achieved positive results, the latest MoE report reveals.
This project was implemented under 3 themes, by the National Institute of Education, Department of Examinations, Department of Education Publications and the Provincial MoE.
The themes are on increasing the Access to Primary and Secondary Education, Uplifting the Quality of Education and strengthening the Administration of the Education Services, with a view to upgrading the Quality of Primary and Secondary Education and Access to Education to ensure knowledge based Economic and Social Development in Sri Lanka.
The project was carried out for 6 years from 2012-2018, with subsidised loans of US$ 100 million from the World Bank and a DEFAT Grant of US$ 39 million from the Government of Australia.
Under the project, the number of students who continue their education from Grade 1-11 increased from 82% in 2012 to 87% in 2018.
The improvement can be further identified, as the retention of male students has increased from 79% to 87%, while female students increased from 85% to 90%.
Under the project, School Learning Promotional Programme had been implemented in 1,000 Secondary Schools and 4,800 Primary Schools. Measures had also been taken to recognise programmes on Special Education and Non-Formal Education in 2013, and to implement such programmes in Provinces from 2014.
Apart from that, School Health and Nutritional Programmes had been implemented in each Province. Steps had been taken to prepare and Implement Formal Career Guidance Programmes for Grade 9 students. The National Evaluation Programme (NEP) on Mathematics, Science and English achievements of Grade 8 students had been implemented in 2012, 2014 and 2015, while the NEP of Sinhala, English and Mathematics of Grade 4 students had been implemented in 2013. The issues identified through this evaluation had been utilised for Educational Development.
Modification of Grades 1-3 curriculum of the Primary Education curriculum and the preparation of the Teachers’ Guide and the Learning Methodology had been conducted under this project.
Capacity Development (CD) programmes were conducted for 10,000 Principals of all Zones, under School Leadership and Management Development. Such Programmes were implemented in all Zones for the CD of officers of School Development Boards and School Development & Management Committees.
- Kasun Warakapitiya