Present Eduation System and Management Structure
3.1.1 School Type
3.1.2 Teachers and Students
3.1.3 National Examinations
3.2 Management structure
3.2.1 Decentralized Administration of Education
3.2.2 Functions of the Ministry of Education
3.2.3 Overall structure of Education Organization
3.3 Organizational Structure of the Ministry of Education
3.3.1 Secretary- Education
3.3.2 Additional Secretary - Policy Planning and Performance Review
3.3.3 Additional Secretary - Education Quality Development
3.3.4 Additional Secretary - Human Resources development Education Services
3.3.5 Additional Secretary - Administration and Finance
3.3.6 Additional Secretary - Supplies
3.1 School System: (See Figure 1 )
The education system consists of the following levels:
- Primary Level- 5 years - Grades 1-5
- Junior Secondary Level - 4 years - Grades 6-9
- Senior Secondary Level - 2 years - Grades 10-11
- Collegiate Level - 2 years - Grades 12-13
Figure 1. School System in Sri Lanka
3.1.1 School Type:
Schools are classified into 4 types:
- Type IAB school with classes up to grade 13 including A' Level Science Stream;
- Type IC school with classes up to grade 13 but without A' Level science stream;
- Type 2 school with classes up to grade 11 and
- Type 3 school with classes up to grade 5.
In 2002 there were 9,829 government schools , 561 Pirivenas and 66 Private schools (Registered before 1960) in Sri Lanka. The government schools consist of 320 National schools managed by the MOE and 9,509 Provincial schools, managed by the Provincial Councils.
In addition to the Government Schools there are 33 non-fee-levying Assisted Private Schools and 33 fee levying autonomous Private Schools. There is another category of English Medium International Schools approved and registered by the Board of Investments Sri Lanka. The number of international schools which are not controlled by the MOE has increased recently in urban areas.
3.1.2 Teachers and students:
In 2002 there were 4,027,075 students and 186,999 teachers in 9,829 government schools.3.1.3 National Examinations:
Sri Lankan education system is characterized by 3 National Examinations conducted by the Department of Examinations:
- Grade 5 Scholarship Examination,
- General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level ) examination, and
- General Certificate of Education ( Advanced Level ) examination.
3.2 Management Structure
3.2.1 Decentralized Administration of Education:
The prevailing education management structure in Sri Lanka came into effect since the establishment of the Provincial Council System in 1987. This devolved administrative system, brought greater autonomy and participation of local administrative bodies in education decision making process. The present decentralized management organization structure comprises five inter-linked layers:
- The Ministry of Human Resources Development, Education and Cultural Affairs (MoHRD,E&CA) as the Line Ministry.
- The Provincial Ministries / Departments of Education (PME / PDE)
- The Zonal Education Offices (ZEO)
- The Divisional Education Offices (DEO)
- Schools (Provincial and National)
In addition to the Cabinet Ministry ( MoHRD,E&CA) there are two new non-cabinet level Ministries, namely, Ministry of School Education and Ministry of Tertiary Education and Training. The Ministers in charge of these two Ministries assist the Cabinet Minister in respect of the subjects assigned to their Ministries. The responsibilities of the three Ministries are spelt out in the Gazette Extraordinary of the Democratic, Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, dated 20.12.2001.
3.2.2 Functions of the Ministry of Education:
The Central Ministry of Education has exclusively reserved the authority in the exercise of the following legislative and executive powers:
- Formulate and ensure the implementation of National Policy on Education; identify objectives and prepare plans in respect of school education system; financial resources for education from the consolidated fund and other sources;
- Formulate and ensure the implementation of National Policy in regard to the management of schools, particularly on school admissions; public examinations, certification and promotions ; school curriculum and teaching; standards for staffing, recruitment, transfer, promotions and salaries of educational personnel; opening ,amalgamation restricting and closure of schools; supervision of schools.
- Manage National Schools and other specified schools and control the functioning of private schools.
- Implement programmes for developing school curriculum, training of teachers and education managers, research and setting standards of education as specified in NIE act No. 28 of 1985 and the Colleges of Education Act No. 30 of 1986.
- Issue directives and orders for ensuring conformity with National Policy and assume direct control of education areas.
- Function as an appellate, to review and co-ordinate policy implementation at national, provincial and school levels.
- Exercise other powers relevant to education as specified in the Constitution of Sri Lanka.
3.2.3 The overall structure of education organization is shown in the Figure 2 :
3.3 The Organizational Structure of the Ministry of Education effective from 21. 04. 2003 is shown in Figures 3,4,5,6,7 & 8:
3.3.1 Divisions under the purview of the Secretary:
There are five Divisions of the Ministry under the Secretary and each Division is under the charge of an Additional Secretary. These Divisions are again sub-divided in to Branches and Units.
3.3.2 Additional Secretary, Policy Planning and Performance Review
3.3.3 Additional Secretary, Education Quality Development
3.3.4 Additional Secretary, Human Resources Development of Education Services
3.3.5 Additional Secretary, Administration and Finance
3.3.6 Additional Secretary, Supplies
3.3.7 Senior Assistant Secretary
3.3.8 Commissioner, Appeals
3.3 Organizational Structure of the Ministry
Figure- 3
Figure- 4
Figure -5
Figure- 6
Figure- 7
Figure -8
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