COVID should not stop development in the education sector: President Rajapaksa

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa requested education officials to not make the COVID pandemic a hindrance in implementing plans for the advancement of the education sector - from primary education to university level.

“We aim for the development of human resources. The country’s future generation must be equipped with knowledge, skills and competencies to become productive citizens,” the President said.

He urged for the initiatives launched by the Government in this regard not to be delayed due to the prevailing pandemic situation.

The President expressed these ideas while participating at a discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat on December 09, to review the steps taken by the Education Ministry and all State ministries to meet the expected objectives.

“In our national policy framework ‘the Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour’ it the national education policy is a priority. The syllabi were created in accordance with the international standards with the intention of introducing proper syllabi for all students,” the President said.

The strategies introduced by the Education Ministry, State Education Reforms Ministry, the Promotion of Open Universities and

Distance Learning, State Dhamma Schools, Bhikkhu Education, Pirivenas and Buddhist Universities Ministry, State Women and Child Development Ministry, Pre-School and Primary Education Ministry, School Infrastructure and Education Services and the State Skills Development, Vocational Education, Research and Innovation Ministry were reviewed by the President to achieve this set target.

Education Minister G. L. Peiris, State Ministers Susil Premajayantha, Piyal Nishantha, Vijitha Berugoda, Seetha Arambepola, President Secretary P. B. Jayasundera and the relevant Secretaries