Education, Higher education activities to move forward with education task force
View(s):Ensuring the operation of examination activities and the students’ curriculum after clearing the backlog of work that had occurred due to the recent interruptions to primary, secondary and tertiary education activities, will be among the main tasks assigned to the 26 member Presidential education task force.
The ‘Presidential task force on Sri Lanka’s education affairs’ was appointed this week through an extraordinary gazette (No.2169/2) signed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. It will be co-chaired by Higher Education, Technology and Innovation Ministry Secretary D.M.R.B. Dissanayake and Education Ministry Secretary N.H.M. Chitrananda.
There had been a requirement to employ mechanisms to continue the education sector without any setbacks due to the coronavirus epidemic situation, President Rajapaksa said in the gazette.
The task force had to: introduce and implement strategies to conduct student education activities without interruption during this time period under the distance education concept, formulate a programme to expedite new enrolments to universities and expand higher education opportunities by extending distance learning opportunities, identify activities to broaden vocational and skills education opportunities and introduce and implement innovative solutions to improve skills and competencies compatible with the current job market.
The task force is expected to introduce and implement training mechanisms, including education techniques which enhance the quality of education sector and direct students to subjects in line with topical requirements.
The 26 member task force comprise Education, Higher Education, Technology and Innovation, Skills Development and Employment and Labour Relations ministry secretaries, the University Grants Commission Chairman, state university Vice Chancellors, national and semi-government school principals and wardens and an international school network Chairman.
The members were requested to present reports to the President from time-to-time, while all public officers were requested to provide assistance and furnish information required by the task force.
In the gazette President Rajapaksa instructed the task force to report “all cases of delay or default on the part of any public officer or officer of any Ministry, Government Department, State Corporation or other similar institution in the discharge of duties and responsibilities assigned to such public officer.” (NF)