COPA learns about key issues in Govt. schools
View(s):A shortage of primary class teachers, limited subject selections for secondary level students, limited space, inadequate water and improper sanitation facilities are among the top reasons for schools with a low student population to close, Parliament’s Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) report revealed recently.
The committee told the Education Ministry to immediately prepare an infrastructure development plan for state schools with low student numbers. They requested for it to be submitted within four months’ time.
The committee chaired by Prof. Tissa Vitarana, met at the Parliament premises recently to examine the performance of Government schools where student numbers were relatively low. It was revealed that quality issues exist in most of the 5161 schools in the country, with less than 200 students in each school.
At the meeting it was also revealed that 93 schools were closed from 2013 to 2017 due to a lack of students, and other reasons. In 2018 alone, 101 schools were closed.
An amount of Rs. 64,930 million had been allocated for the previous government’s “The nearest school is the best school” project implemented by the Yahapalana Government (for the period of 2016-2020).
By December 31, 2018, Rs. 31,234.77 million had been spent and resources provided to some schools without conducting a proper study on the needs and shortages
An inadequate water supply and improper sanitation facilities found in many of these schools, were also highlighted at the meeting.
The committee instructed the Education Ministry Secretary Kapila Perera to immediately look into these issues, and it said the relevant resource personnel should participate on a voluntary basis to resolve these issues.
The committee also said there was a need to improve the supervision of principal and teacher transfers/transfer orders to schools that were not popular, and it said a major factor in attracting students to schools was academic excellence.
It said special attention should be given to improve academic results at state examinations.
A shortage of teachers in the primary section of these schools was one of the other key issues, addressed at the meeting. When there were less subject selections for secondary classes and a shortage of teachers to teach these subjects, parents were reluctant to enrol their children, Prof. Vitarana said.
He also said there was a need to maintain a school administration report, so when fund allocations are made for different projects, the report could be used to monitor progress.
The COPA also told education authorities the Code of Conduct on School Structure should be revised from time to time under the supervision of education administration experts.
It was also revealed a new school to be constructed, required at least two acres of land for construction. The Nikeraweratiya education zone for example, has 25 schools built within limited space and each school conducts classes for less than 200 students.