Education system at odds with Employability hence Unemployment: Dr Amunugama

Minister of Special Assignments Dr Sarath Amunugama blamed the Education system for the burning problem of unemployment among youth in Sri Lanka, as the current Education system does not produce persons qualified for employment and fit into the country’s development process, and who can contribute to the development of the country.

He said this while addressing teachers and undergraduates at his office in Galagedara, Kandy.

He noted that, in other countries, school leavers gain employment without difficulty as they receive an education which fits them for employment, while in Sri Lanka a student does not get the practical knowledge which would make him suitable for a job. This has resulted in the increase of youth unemployment.

“In most countries of the world, you are employed when you are 18, 19 or 20 years of age. However, the sad state of affairs is that the prevailing Education system in Sri Lanka does not enable one to get a job after leaving school,” he said.

Minister Amunugama said being unemployed is a big loss, not only to the youth concerned, but to the entire country.

“Our student population is more than 4.2 million. We have about 10,200 schools, of which 353 are National schools, and 15 universities. The number of teachers is about 235,032. Students annually passing out of schools and universities join the employment queue. We face the challenge of finding employment for them,” he said.