Number of national schools to be increased to 1000

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has instructed the Government to take steps to increase the number of national schools in the country to 1000. The decision to increase the number of national schools was taken at a meeting with State Ministers held at the Presidential Secretariat this evening (10). 

It was pointed out during the meeting that some national schools were such schools in name only, and lacked even basic facilities. Immediate steps will be taken to develop such schools, the President's Media Division (PMD) stated. 

The President and State Ministers also decided to appoint District Education Committees to improve the school system. It was further decided to strengthen coordination between zonal education offices and divisional offices. 

The President pointed out that, excluding Grade 1 admissions and teacher transfers, politicians were free to intervene in any activity that improves the school system. He said such actions were for the common good and should not be construed as political interference. 

The possibility of appointing acting principals to fill principal vacancies in schools was also explored. As per the Teacher Service Minute, teacher exams must be held every year. The main reason for the principal shortage is that these exams are not being conducted properly, it was observed. As such, it was decided to explore the possibility of appointing experienced, competent teachers as acting principals in these schools, the PMD noted.