Subject-based teacher recruitment to begin

Colombo, July 16 (Daily Mirror) - The government will introduce a subject-based teacher recruitment system to address the country's teacher shortage, Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government Minister Prof. Chandana Abayaratne said.

Speaking at the opening of a new classroom building at Karukkumaduwa Junior School in Anamaduwa, the Minister said the new recruitment process would fill vacancies in specific subjects, particularly those facing severe shortages such as Mathematics.

He said 30,000 teachers would be recruited before the end of this year, noting that no formal teacher recruitment had taken place since 2021.

According to the Minister, funds and approvals for the recruitment have already been secured, while around 180,000 applicants, including graduates, sat the competitive examination held in May. The marking of answer scripts is now nearing completion.

Prof. Abayaratne said the new system would help ensure schools receive qualified teachers in the subjects where they are most needed.

He also said the government would take steps to resolve issues affecting the Principal Service.

During the event, the Minister pledged to improve library facilities at Karukkumaduwa Junior School and expand the Ministry's "Mobile Library" programme to more areas.

He also called on the public to support efforts to combat drug abuse and dengue, saying both issues require the active participation of the community.