Stop Collecting Money from Parents! Strong Statement from the Prime Minister
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasised in Parliament yesterday (05) that the government has not taken any decision to cut free education or to close the Faculty of Dental Sciences at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. Responding to a question raised by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, she stated that questions in Parliament should not be based on false information and rumours circulating on social media.
Commenting on the issues surrounding the Wickramarachchi Medical Faculty, the Prime Minister said that students had been placed in difficulty because the institution was established without proper procedures. She added that, based on the findings of an expert committee report, non-political and scientific solutions would be implemented to address these problems.
She also revealed that, under the new education reforms, the Ministry of Education has already begun distributing Smart Boards to schools. She stressed that there is absolutely no need to collect money from parents at the school level for this purpose, and instructed that any such collections must be stopped immediately. She further noted that the Secretary to the Ministry of Education has already issued an official directive in this regard.
The Prime Minister explained that although Information Technology is not taught as a separate subject from Grades 1 to 5, expert discussions have begun on providing age-appropriate technological knowledge in line with the global technological environment. She said that decisions would be made after considering child protection and expert advice, and that political decisions would not be taken regarding curricula.
It was also disclosed that steps are being taken, with Cabinet approval, to recruit academic staff to fill critical vacancies in universities and higher education institutions. The government is focusing on resolving long-standing issues in the teaching service, including promotion delays of over 30 years, irregular recruitments contrary to service regulations, and practical difficulties, in order to develop a systematic programme for improving the quality of education.
Responding to a question from MP Kader Mastan, the Prime Minister stated that programmes to provide school textbooks, uniforms, “Surasaksha” insurance, sanitary towel vouchers, midday meals for primary students, and financial assistance for low-income children who pass scholarship examinations will be further expanded.