Schools Inspection in force from mid Feb. in all National Schools: MoE

The School Inspectorate System ( SIS) will come into force from mid February in all National Schools, but will be delayed by a year in the Provinces, due to a clash between the Center and the schools, said Ministry of Education ( MoE) Additional Secretary ( Planning) S. U . Wijeratne.

The programme has been started on a concept by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, to enhance the quality of education, as well as other facilities in government schools.

He explained that, under the existing laws, the MoE could not force the Provincial Councils (PC) to implement the SIS due to powers vested in the PCs under the 13th Amendment. “We will have to amend the law so that PCs can be compelled to implement the system," he added.

"The first stage will be implemented in 400 National schools as a pilot project," he said.

It will be headed by an Inspector General, with 30 School Inspectors who will be assisted by an additional 100 officers.

“This inspection will not be limited to checking on the standard of Education only, but will cover all other aspects of the schools,” he said.

For example, to inspect a large National school, they will hire professionals such as an Engineer to check the buildings, a Doctor to look into the nutritional aspects, as well as check for mosquitoe- breeding sites e t c., and an Environmental Officer to check on garbage disposal and related aspects.

"Inspections will be once in three years, but if there are major problems, more frequent checks will be conducted," he said.