Sri Lanka Treasury has allocated Rs 8.6 billion to develop 1,000 primary and secondary schools of the country to improve education as a whole and promote science and math education.
Under the “Thousand Secondary Schools Development Programme” launched by President Mahinda Rajapaksa earlier this year, 300 secondary schools and 700 primary schools will be developed in 2012.
The 1000 secondary schools development programme that will be implemented from 2012 to 2016, will introduce new reforms with new knowledge suitable for contemporary world, Sri Lanka’s Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena said. The government has already selected 836 schools giving consideration to secondary schools representing each and every Divisional Secretary’s division.
Although the programme mainly focuses on secondary schools, a number of primary schools will also be developed so as to link 3-5 primary schools which are affiliated to every secondary school. According to the Finance Ministry, priority will be given for development of school buildings, improvement of quality of school text books and school equipment and upgrading sanitary facilities of students.
The project plans to establish a technical laboratory consisting of an Information Technology Laboratory with 50 computers, a Mathematics Laboratory, a Language Laboratory and Nanasa Distance Education Unit for each secondary school. The project aims to reduce the percentage of students who are following the GCE Advanced Level in Arts stream and to promote participation of students in Science and Commerce streams instead.
The authorities expect the project to create an environment which enables students to get technical and professional skills to face the realities of the labour market. It is further expected to fulfil equal opportunities of education under the fields of Science and Mathematics, Information Technology, English and Foreign Language Studies, Aesthetic Studies and Sports. (LBT)
