Ensuring effective education reforms Parliamentary Committee to consult experts

By Yohan Perera and Ajith Siriwardana   

Whilst an extensive public debate is being carried out on the government’s education reforms, the Sectoral Oversight Committee on  education has decided to seek the assistance of experts who have been  involved in compiling education reforms in the past.   

The Chair of the Committee MP Hesha Withanage told the  sectoral committee meeting that experts from relevant sectors who have  been involved in reforming the education sector in the past are expected  to be consulted to examine the proposed education reforms more  comprehensively.   

He stated that the full support of the Committee will be  extended to ensure that proper education reforms would be implemented.    

Members of the oversight committee emphasised the need for  properly structured syllabi when implementing reforms in the education  sector.   

Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education  and Vocational Training, Nalaka Kaluwewa, representatives of the  National Education Commission, the Director General of the National  Institute of Education, along with several other senior officials of the  Ministry of Education, participated in the meeting.   

The Ministry officials explained to the Committee the proposed education reforms.   

Meanwhile, the attention of the Sectoral Oversight  Committee was also drawn to the Samurdhi (Amendment) Bill. The Committee  inquired into the operations of the Samurdhi Bank, and the relevant  approval was granted to present the said Bill to Parliament for the  Second Reading.  

Members of Parliament Sunil Rajapaksha, Chanaka Madugoda,  Thurairasa Ravikaran, Nilusha Lakmali Gamage, Attorney at Law, and  Krishnan Kalaichelvi also participated in the meeting.