Recent Developments in Education in Sri Lanka
2.1 Recent Reforms in Education
2.1.1 National Education Commission (NEC)
2.1.2 Recommendations of the NEC implemented by the Ministry of Education
2.1.3 Development of schools by Division (DSD) -" Navodaya " School Project
2.1.4 Evaluation and Quality Assurance
2.2 New Initiatives in Education
2.2.1 Reforms in Teacher Training and Deployment
2.2.2 IT Education
2.2.3 English Language as a Medium of Instruction
2.3 Projects Funded by Foreign Agencies
2.3.1 General Education Project - II (IDA/ World Bank)
2.3.2 Teacher Education and Teacher Deployment Project (IDA- World Bank)
2.3.3 Secondary Education Modernization Project (ADB)
2.3.4 Primary Mathematics Project (DFID-UK)
2.3.5 Primary English Language Project (DFID- UK)
2.3.6 Basic Education Sector Programme (GTZ- Germany)
2.3.7 Junior School Improvement Project (JICA - Japan)
2.3.8 Development of Science and Mathematics in the Primary and Secondary Levels in Sri Lanka (Funded by JICA - Japan)
2.1.1 National Education Commission (NEC)
Sri Lanka has creditable achievements in aspects of education such as school enrolment, literacy and gender equity, compared to other countries in the region. However, the country is faced with problems of unemployment, youth unrest, violence, ethnic conflicts and poverty. Therefore reform and restructuring the education system was identified as an urgent priority. The National Education Commission (NEC) appointed in 1991, after studying the memoranda received from professional associations, trade unions, university community, teachers, political parties and the general public submitted their recommendations in 1997. A programme for the implementation of the reforms began in 1999. The primary goals of the proposals were:
1. To provide a system of education that would equip students with the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes, to empower them and make them employable and productive citizens of Sri Lanka.
2. Create a generation of young people with correct values compassion and care towards fellow citizens and who will be able to live with tolerance towards one another.
The reform proposals were based on two main policy initiatives:
- Improvement in the quality of education
- Providing Education for all
2.1.2 Recommendations of the NEC implemented by the Ministry of Education:
Early childhood years refer to the first five years of the life of a child. This period has received inadequate attention. It is proposed to set up awareness programmes for parents to bring up children in a healthy and stimulating environment, provide day care centres and pre-schools. A Child Study Centre has been set up at the open University.
Primary stage of Education:
The first five years of schooling comprising the primary stage of education are divided in to three stages:
Stage I : Grades 1 and 2) The main learning mode will be Guided play with secondary emphasis on Active learning and a minimum of Desk work.
Stage II : (Grades 3 and 4 ) Equal importance will be given to all three modes of learning - Activity, desk work and play.
Stage III : (Grade 5) Greater emphasis on desk work.
The new integrated primary curriculum will consist of four main subjects:
- First Language
- Mathematics
- Environmental related activities
- Religion
Activity based English will be introduced from stage I. Implementation of these reforms has been started in 1998 and will be completed in 2003.
Junior Stage of Education:
Curriculum in grades 6 - 9 includes 10 subjects, including practical work and work on small projects. First Language, English, Mathematics, Science and technology, Social Studies, Life competencies, Religion, Aesthetics, Health and Physical Education, Practical and Technical Skills.
Senior Stage of Education:
Students sit the G C E (OL) examination after grades 10 and 11. Syllabus includes core subjects and optional subjects. The revision of curricula and the training of teachers have been completed. The first batch of students sat for the GCE (OL) Examination in 2001.
G C E Advanced Level
The Course extends over two years. The number of subjects to be offered at GCE Advanced Level has been reduced to three from year 2000. Candidates seeking admission to University are required to appear for an additional Common General Test. School based assessment of practical work, assignments and project work have been introduced. General English has been introduced as a compulsory subject for all GCE (AL) students.
Candidates seeking University admission will be required to select subject combinations specified by the particular Faculties. They must pass in the common General Test and also obtain a minimum of 135 marks.
Education For All:
It has been found that 14 % of children of age 5-14 were not attending school. The reforms recommend that regulations enforcing parents to send their children of 5 -14 years age to school be strictly enforced. Already 760 Literacy Centres have been set up in the country by the Non-Formal Education Unit.
2.1.3 Development of Schools by Divisions ( DSD) - Navodaya schools:
Under this programme 340 schools have been identified for development by providing infra structure and facilities and improvement of quality of education
2.1.4 Evaluation and Quality Assurance
A special unit has been established to develop quality standards for teachers, principals and supervisory staff so that evaluation can be carried out on a more objective basis.
2.2.1 Reforms in Teacher Training and Deployment
New teachers for grades 1 - 11 are recruited from National Colleges of Education (NCOEs) which offer 2-year residential training programmes and 1-year internship period in schools. Teachers for A' Level classes are recruited from University graduates. Untrained teachers are trained in Teacher Training Colleges and by the NIE through the Distance Education Programme and the 17 NCOEs provide Pre-service Training for new entrants to teaching. In addition short term Continuing Education courses are conducted in Teacher Education Institutes and 100 Teacher Centres distributed throughout the Island. The Universities also offer Post Graduate courses in Education.
The National Teacher Education Policy of 2001 specifies that the teacher supply should conform to the following Student- Teacher Ratios (STR) :
Primary Level - 26 : 1 Secondary Level - 22 : 1
There is an excess of teachers in urban popular schools and a shortage in rural difficult area schools and the MOE has offered certain incentives to teachers serving in difficult schools, by Circular No. 99 / 17. The World Bank has provided assistance through the Teacher Education and Teacher Deployment Project (TETD) to overcome some of the problems of teacher training and deployment.
2.2.2 IT Education:
The National Policy on IT Education of the MOE defines a vision of " A new generation of Sri Lankans empowered with information and communication technology" facilitating the "planning implementation and sustenance of information technology education in schools to enhance students learning and quality of learning".
A six year development plan of the MOE aims at providing IT literacy to all government teachers, to set up a student - computer ratio of 40 : 1, to develop the necessary text books for IT education and to develop the necessary multimedia software for IT education. Already 72 Computer Resource Centres and 80 Information Communication Technology Centres (ICT) have been set up and expansion of the programme is planned with assistance from the World Bank under GEP-2 . The Secondary Education Modernization Project (SEMP) funded by ADB is planning to open 800 Computer Learning Centres with 16,000 computers. Teacher training has already been started in NCOEs and in Computer Resource Centres.
2.2.3 English Language as a Medium of Instruction:
English is taught as a second language up to G C E A' Level in all schools. A pilot programme has been launched in some schools to teach certain subjects in grades 6 and 7 in the English medium. This programme will be extended to grade 8 in 2004 and to the G C E (O' L) examination in 2007. Teachers are also being trained in selected Colleges of Education to teach in the English medium.
Another programme has been started in 64 schools for teaching Science subjects of the G C E Advanced Level classes in the English medium . 150 Science Graduates have been newly recruited and another 300 teachers trained to teach in the English Medium. Teachers Guides prepared in English for science subjects were distributed to all schools.
2.3.1 General Education Project - 2 (funded by IDA / World Bank):
This project started in 1998 is linked to the governments national reforms . The objectives of the project are to improve quality, management and financing of existing education programmes and to increase responsiveness to economic needs and reduce poverty.
This project consists of the following Components:
- Curriculum Development for grades 1 - 9
- Publishing of Text Books and other publications
- Rationalization of School Facilities
- Supply of Quality Inputs
- School Library Development
- Education Management Development
- Educational Financing
- Studies
2.3.2 Teacher Education and Teacher Deployment Project (funded by IDA / World Bank):
The main objective of this project is to improve quality, effectiveness and efficiency of the teaching service. Components :
- Rationalization of Teacher Recruitment and Deployment
- Structuring and systematization of Teacher Education
- Strengthening Staff and Management
- Supply of physical facilities for Rationalized teacher education
- Studies.
2.3.3 Secondary Education Modernization Project (funded by Asian Development Bank):
The following activities are being performed with a view to promote a qualitative improvement in education by modernizing the curriculum and by strengthening the teaching - learning process.
- Construction of Computer Learning Centres in 210 1AB and 1C schools
- Construction of Multimedia Units in 210 1AB and 1C schools and supply of Multimedia equipment.
- Establishment of 05 Environment Study Centres.
- Construction of 48 G.C.E (A/L) Laboratories.
- Refurbishment of the hostels and buildings of the 54 Central Colleges established in 1943- 1947.
- Introduction of the School Based Management Programme and work in coordination with the National Institute of Education in the implementation of the Teacher training Programmes.
- Assisting the Department of Examinations in the implementation of the School Based Assessment programme.
- Assisting the Department of Educational Publications in the printing and supply of text books for the G.C.E. (A/L) classes.
- Provision of " Sisu Saviya" Student allowances to 5307 students in grades 10 & 12 , who are skillful but having financial difficulties.
- Initiate modernization activities of the secondary curriculum in coordination with the NIE.
2.3.4 Primary Mathematics Project (funded by DFID - UK)
This project is implemented under the following functions:
- Curriculum Development for grades 1 - 5
- In-service Teacher Training
- Pre-service Teacher Training
- Monitoring Evaluation and Research
- Provide understanding relating to the significance of the Mathematics subject.
2.3.5 Primary English Language Project (funded by DFID - UK)
Main areas include :
- Curriculum Development for grades 1- 5
- Pre-service and in-service Teacher Training on the new syllabus
This project has been completed.
2.3.6 Basic Education Sector Programme -(funded by GTZ)
The essential elements of the programme are :
- Primary in-service teacher education
- School strengthening by developing a spirit of teamwork and cooperation
- In-service training for In-Service Advisors
2.3.7 Junior School Improvement Project ( funded by JICA - JAPAN)
The project is aimed at
- Supply of infrastructure facilities for primary schools in selected Districts.
- Quality improvement through teacher training
Under the first phase improvements were made in 4 schools in Gampaha District, 2 schools in Kegalle District and in 10 schools in Ratnapura District .Under the second phase improvements will be made in 56 schools selected from Galle, Hambantota, and Moneragala Districts at a cost of Rs. 2.2 billion provided by the Japanese Government.
2.3.8. Development of Science and Mathematics in the primary and secondary schools in Sri Lanka (funded by JICA-Japan)
Objectives of the Study are:
- To formulate a Master Plan to improve the quality of Science and Mathematics education in primary and secondary schools.
- To help strengthen the placing and implementation of Capacity of Counterpart personnel through the implementation of the study
Major Components are:
- Improvement of A/L Science and Mathematics in grades 12 and 13
- Improvement of O/L Science and Mathematics in grades 10 and 11
- Improvement of self motivation in learning science and Mathematics in grades 1-9.
- Improvement of school management
- Improvement of minimum Facilities and equipment for primary and secondary schools.
- Improvement of schools with A/L Courses in Science and Mathematics.
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