Focused investments in education required to make SL more competitive

From left: President CA Jagath Perera, NHRDC Member Dr Chandra Embuldeniya, NHRDC Chairman Dinesh Weerakkody, and EFC DG Kanishka Weerasinghe at the press conference held at the Ministry of Vocational Training and 

Skills Development. 

National Human Resources Development Council Chairman Dinesh Weerakkody, speaking at the press conference organised to discuss the proposals prepared by the National Human Resources Development Council of Sri Lanka (NHRDC), said allocation of university places should be through a demand-driven system. He added that there is an urgent need to increase the funding aimed at improving the participation rate of low income students, and to increase the eligibility to student income support. The Human Capital Development proposals were prepared using past data, perspectives and outcomes of several NHRDC panels that worked on education related issues. NHRDC Council Member Dr Chandra Embuldeniya briefly outlined the 12 proposals at the press conference.

The 12 main proposals are:

1.Roadmap to increase the female labour force participation of Sri Lanka

Introducing STEM (STEAM) education, the numbers of students on STEM Education in General Education, and improving STEM experience for political and community leaders 

2. Strengthening technology education to develop a work ready workforce 

3. Promoting outcome-based learning 

4. Voucher schemes for tertiary, vocational and professional education

5. Professional development programs for academic staff

6. Training and Incentives for Teachers to build capacity 

7. Education and training institutions – single-window service centre for private institutions 

8. Partnerships with Government and foreign institutions to improve the quality of education and training 

9. More innovation and entrepreneurship development faculties in universities 

10. Market orientation of curricula and branding of Sri Lanka education

11. Productivity and livelihoods enhancement of youth engaged in three-wheel driving

12. Labour market reforms to generate more employment and investments 

The NHRDC estimates the Government’s total expenditure in 2019 for education would be around Rs. 351 billion: for general education, Rs. 238 billion, and for post-secondary education Rs 113 billion. Today, education is increasingly seen by the Government as a major contributor to national wealth and economic development.