Govt. ready to introduce new legislation to regulate int’l schools: Edu Minister

The Government is ready to introduce new legislation to regulate international schools, Education Minister Professor G. L. Peiris told Parliament today.

Responding to an oral question raised by SJB MP Sumith Sanjaya Perera in the House, Professor Peiris said the Government is willing to have a dialogue with the Opposition and then draft legislation to this effect.

“We have no legislation to regulate international schools in the country. There are 393 international schools in the country that are registered with the BOI (Board of Investment) and Registrar of Companies. They are not registered with the Ministry of Education. However we are willing to have a dialogue with the Opposition and introduce legislation to regulate these schools,” he said.

The Minister who responded to a question raised by MP Mujibur Rahaman earlier said the Government will take action against state-funded private schools which do not follow the circular issued by the Ministry of Education regarding enrolment of children for Grade I. (Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana)