We should recall all Lankan human resources scattered around the world to face 4th industrial revolution: Minister

"We should call back Sri Lankan human resources, armed with knowledge and that are scattered around the world and build the country by bridging the vast gap by pursuing the fourth industrial revolution, which we are missing," said Education Minister Susil Premajayantha.

While addressing an event held at the Education Ministry, he said the attention and support of the economists in the country should be focused on knowledge and technology to bring that scattered resources and knowledge together.

"Although our country is ahead in knowledge compared to other countries, we do not have the power to put that knowledge into practice. But other countries used to take advantage of our knowledge and human resources.

That has been greatly affected by the loss of attention from the people who manage the country's economy," he said.

The minister went on to say that no school in the country will be isolated in the future and that they have decided to bring them all under one umbrella by March or April next week.

While bringing all schools under a single network, all teachers and principals, including their placements, promotions and other related information, will be connected, creating office and administrative savings.

To complete this project successfully, the government must spend Rs. 1 billion on 1,000 schools and for the provision of internet access.

He revealed this information while attending the ceremony at the Education Ministry for awarding prizes and certificates to students and teachers who won the "ICT Champions" tournament, which was conducted at the national level.

The event was graced by the minister. While addressing the event, the minister further said that information technology (IT) is expected to be added to the ordinary level (O/L) as a core subject in the future through the education reform process. Simultaneously, the minister stated that subjects such as nano-technology, bio-technology, robotics, and artificial intelligence (AI) will be added in conjunction with IT, equipping students with both knowledge and technology.

There is a need to engage in a rapid process of building the path to overcome these future challenges. (Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama)