SLEAS Officers overseas ICT training awaits 2019 Budget

A Ministry of Education (MoE) initiative to improve the ICT skills of SLEAS officers had been shelved due to the government impasse last October.

The MoE said that, plans to send SLEAS officers for short term overseas training in October 2018, was called off, despite allocations made for the purpose.

Director of Education P.N. Illapperuma said that, following the political crisis in October, they could not proceed with the programme, with the related allocation returned to the Treasury.

"We are awaiting fresh allocations to be made in the 2019 Budget," he said.

In October 2018, the MoE had called for Applications from all Zonal and Provincial ICT Coordinators for overseas training to enhance their skills, while inquiries were made from ICT institutions in Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia. However, the process was interrupted by the over-50 days of uncertainty that prevailed in the Government.

Mr Illaperuma said that, as soon as the new Budget allocations are made the process will resume. Officers applying for this foreign training should have completed 3 years full time work in the Zonal/ Provincial Education office as an ICT Coordinator.

Officers covering duties as ICT Coordinators for more than 3 years, while carrying out other duties, can also apply.