President announces public debate before finalisation of the National Education Policy
View(s):Public opinion will be sought prior to the finalising of the National Education Policy, Education Ministry Secretary N.H.M. Chitrananda said.
Mr Chitrananda, a member of the Presidential Task Force on Sri Lankan Education, told Education Times proposals and recommendations made by the task force will be circulated to people via print and electronic media, and it will consider peoples’ views – especially experts in the field of education. “By July, the task force will begin educating people on the proposals and recommendations. Though the report was to be finalised in June, President Rajapaksa directed us to get public opinion and release the final report by September,” he said.
According to Mr Chitrananda, those who have suggestions and proposals to be included in the new education policy, can direct such information to the relevant ministry secretaries or heads of institution to be forwarded to the task force.
“Suggestions on subjects such as school syllabuses, text books, school uniforms etc. can be forwarded to the Education Ministry Secretary, and this can similarly be done for other ministries as well,” he said.
Meanwhile the President’s Media said a public debate will take place on policy recommendations made by the presidential task force on Sri Lankan Education prior to the finalising of the National Education Policy.
President Rajapaksa recently met task force members to discuss the current status of the formulation of the National Education Policy. He informed officials to place the recommendations for a public debate at least two months prior to the finalisation of the policy covering nursery, primary, secondary, tertiary and vocational education.
He had said the futuristic education policy should be acceptable to all and asked the opinion of the task force about the possibility of placing the General Education, Higher Education and Vocational Training Ministries under one Ministry.
The 26 member task force includes secretaries of the Education, Higher Education, Technology and Innovation, Skills Development, Employment and Labour Relations ministries, the University Grants Commission Chairman, state university vice chancellors, national and semi-government school principals and wardens and the chairman of the an international school network.