More vocational institutes needed: Ed. Minister
View(s):More educational institutions with vocational training must be created for students who cannot be admitted to state universities, New Education Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said recently.
The Minister mentioned this when he met University Grants Commission (UGC)officers last week.
The minister emphasised the current necessity of designing the university education in a way that it can cater to the demand for employment in this country.
Since the President has pointed out that the universities in the eastern province are not functioning properly, the minister advised at this occasion to take necessary actions for this purpose, the Ministry said.
UGC Chairperson Sampath Amaratunge pointed out that the universities in Sri Lanka are already conducting educational activities properly. He also pointed out that in addition to the 16 universities maintained under the UGC, a university for nurses and a university for sports are going to be established. The preliminary activities of these institutions have already been finished, Prof. Amaratunge said.
He also said there are problems in the Eastern Universities, instead of three years to complete a general degree it takes eight years, and it takes ten years to complete a special degree. Steps have been taken to rectify this situation so the Eastern Universities functions that properly, he further added.
State Minister Susil Premajayantha, Parliamentarian Yadammini Gunawardana and Education Ministry Secretary Kapila Perera also joined this discussion.