19 August 2020 05:18 pm
Education Minister Professor G. L. Peiris, at a meeting held with University officials, stressed the importance of zero-tolerance policy for ragging, the ministry said.
The Minister stressed this at a discussion held with Vice-Chancellors where the critical issue of ragging, prominent in the minds of parents and the public, was discussed. The minister had separate discussions with the University Grants Commission (UGC), officials of the Ministry of Higher Education, Vice-Chancellors of Universities and Presidents of the National Colleges of Education.
With the UGC, the Minster discussed matters connected with the reopening of Universities and their smooth functioning after the closure owing to COVID-19.
Other matters discussed were modernization of courses of study, language training to enhance employment prospects, more systemic provision for career counselling, and criteria for appointment of persons outside the University system to the governing bodies and the Councils of Universities.
With the Presidents of the National Colleges of Education, the Minister took up the matter of organisation of a series of interactive sessions islandwide with parents, teachers, students, alumni organisations and other stakeholders about the changes in curricula and teaching methods considered essential at this time.
State Minister of Dhamma Schools, Bhikku Education, Pirivenas and Buddhist Universities Vijitha Berugoda, UGC Chairman Senior Prof. Sampath Amaratunge and other members were at the meeting.