The Ministry of Education has begun distributing smart boards required for the new education reforms to schools, and any collection of money from parents at school level for this purpose must be stopped immediately, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya said in Parliament on Wednesday (5). She also said no decision has been taken to curtail free education or to close the Jayewardenepura Dental Faculty.
The Prime Minister made these remarks in response to a question raised by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa.
Commenting further, Amarasuriya said she welcomed the Opposition Leader’s stance in defence of free education, but urged Members of Parliament not to base questions on social media claims or unverified information.
She reiterated that the Government has not taken any decision to reduce free education or shut down the Jayewardenepura Dental Faculty.
Addressing the Wickramarachchi Medical Faculty issue, the Prime Minister said the institution had been initiated without proper regulatory approval and had introduced several courses outside accepted procedures, resulting in students being placed in a vulnerable position. She said the Government is acting in accordance with the report submitted by an expert committee appointed to examine the matter, stressing that the steps taken are not political decisions.
On the distribution of smart boards, Amarasuriya said arrangements are underway to supply schools with the required equipment during the year and that parents should not be asked to contribute funds under any circumstances. She noted that the Secretary to the Ministry of Education has already issued instructions prohibiting the collection of money from schools.
She also clarified that Information Technology will not be taught as a separate subject for Grades 1 to 5. Instead, discussions are ongoing, based on expert advice, on providing age-appropriate technological awareness aligned with global developments, while ensuring child protection. Decisions on curricula, she said, will be taken by subject experts and not through political intervention.
The Prime Minister further said universities and higher education institutions are proceeding with the recruitment of academic staff to fill essential vacancies, subject to Cabinet approval.
She acknowledged that despite three decades since the establishment of the teacher service, further measures are required to improve its quality. Issues arising from practical shortcomings in promotion evaluations, recruitment not being conducted in line with service regulations, and other related concerns are being addressed as part of a structured plan aimed at ensuring quality education.
