State Minister promises to re-open teacher training colleges soon
View(s):The Government is taking all measures to release teacher training colleges that are presently being used as COVID treatment and quarantine centres, Education Reforms, Promotion of Open Universities and Distance Learning State Minister Susil Premajayantha said recently.
“We understand that about 8000 trainee teachers have not been able to continue with their studies. Colleges of Education will be released and re-opened gradually,” he said, replying to a question raised by Opposition Parliamentarian Rohini Kumari Wijeratne in Parliament this week.
Ms. Wijeratne said the delay in reopening Colleges of Education will result in teacher shortages, especially in rural schools.
“These colleges have been closed for one and a half years. Both health authorities and the military have converted them into COVID treatment centres and quarantine centres,” she said.
The Minister said 3645 trained teachers from the 2014-2016 batch have received teaching appointments while 4286 students from the 2015-2017 batch were given appointments as Grade III-1B teachers. A total of 3730 trained teachers from the 2016-2018 batch have received appointments this year.
Minister Premajayantha said a considerable number of graduates who were selected as trainees in the state service, will be trained and given teaching appointments to ensure no teacher shortages in the future.
Ms. Wijeratne questioned the plans to give the National College of Education diploma, a degree awarding status, recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC) as mentioned in the President’s manifesto.
“It is unfortunate that teachers who complete the full time in house training diploma, have to spend another seven or eight years following an external degree,” she said.
Minister Premajayantha said the UGC Act of 1978 has been amended to promote the diploma to degree. Approval from the Cabinet has been received and necessary amendments have been made by the Legal Draftsman’s Department.
“Only a Parliament debate is required. All legal formalities have been finalised,” he said.
-NF