Government to establish supervisory board to evaluate schools

• Supervisory board will evaluate performance and functions of schools
• Government to appoint committee to oversee tablet computer distribution program
• Government cracking down on drug abuse among school students

Minister of Education and UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam

By Skandha Gunasekara

The Government is to set up a supervisory board to evaluate Sri Lanka’s school system, including Private and International schools.

Minister of Education and UNP General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam revealed this development on Thursday while addressing the media at Sirikotha.

The Minister said that irregularities in exorbitant school fees charged by some International schools had been brought to the attention of the Government.

“We will be setting up a supervisory board that will evaluate the performance and functions of all schools, including Private and International schools. We have been informed that some International schools are levying unusually high school fees from students. This board will look into such matters and make recommendations to the Government on what measures could be taken to rectify it,” he said.

In addition, the Minister said that a committee will also be established to oversee the Government’s plan to distribute tablet computers to school students.  “Although there have been some delays in the tablet program, we will be appointing a committee to oversee this Government venture,” the Minister said.

Furthermore, Minister Kariyawasam said the Government was taking extra measures to curb drug use among school students.

“The Police have already begun a program on this issue. Raids have been carried out near schools and several individuals have been arrested,” the Minister said, adding that parents, too, must play a role in ensuring their children do not fall prey to narcotics abuse.