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‘Spoken English’ in all National Schools from March 30: Minister

20 March 2023 03:33 pm - 24     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Considering the specialty and importance of the English language, the Education Ministry has decided to teach ‘Spoken English’ in all national schools, starting from grade one from March 30.

Addressing an event at the Colombo University yesterday, Minister Susil Premajayantha said necessary updates will be made to bring all school syllabuses from Grades 6–9 and 10–13 to an international level. A pilot project in this regard will be started next month.

He also said that the ministry is planning to teach the subject of artificial intelligence along with information technology. The necessary course development and resource planning are currently being done, the minister said.

The minister further said that the ministry is working to overcome the challenge of meeting the global sustainable development goals related to the education sector by 2030. (Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama)

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  Comments - 24

  • Nirmal Monday, 20 March 2023 04:02 PM

    elections are in the corner, so things like this happendt in the past kunuharappacharya

    BuffaloaCitizen Monday, 20 March 2023 04:50 PM

    When you are busy filling your pockets, there is no time to look at the actual needs of the country. When "Sinhalese Only" was introduced in a grand way, did you yakko's ever realize that one day the Sinhalese themselves will be dimwits? When you harased and killed many Tamils until they left the country, did you yakko's ever think one day you will also runaway from the country?

    MilA Monday, 20 March 2023 04:54 PM

    In sri lanka we speak singhalse. This is pure hate against our own language. When we not speak good English in sri lanka people humiliate you. They want white man language to be pushed all around the world

    Para Balla Monday, 20 March 2023 06:16 PM

    You still speak your language that is influenced from old Sinhala plus Portuguese plus Dutch plus Malay. Modern Sinhalese is so mixed even the toilet is a Dutch word. No harm learning another language. Don’t hate your own people and deprive them of knowledge to connect to the world instead of your mudalali system

    Tissa Fernando Monday, 20 March 2023 07:06 PM

    Well,man, if you learn white man's language your opportunities to make a living will be broden. It is up to you to think this way and stay in your own closed doors. You can master English as well as Sinhalese and speak two languages in its correct form at the appropriate stage. Mixing English words with sinhala should be avoided when you speak in sinhala and using correct English grammer should be practiced.

    Jehan Monday, 20 March 2023 08:01 PM

    Without English, even to be a house maid is not possible. Singhaleese is dead, even in Sri Lanka, come to Colombo, most offices, will entertain you with only English. Rubbish mentality and stupidity has made the country poverty stricken cess pool.

    Joshua Monday, 20 March 2023 08:26 PM

    So you want to cripple the youth of your country by teaching "singhalse" only. English is the language of international airline pilots (even chinese and russian). English is the language of engineering, of international finance. You sir are an idiot.

    Sinhala nation should have only Sinhala Monday, 20 March 2023 09:53 PM

    I agree 100% with you. SWRD sacrificed his life, to bring Sinhala Language to the fore, and now these ministers are digging the grave of SWRD for his bones to be humiliated. We want Sinhala only. This is soul, whether you like it or not.

    Joseph Ratnasingham Monday, 20 March 2023 09:57 PM

    Before 1956 English was also taught in all Sri Lankan schools. We also learnt our Swabasha language Sinhala

    Ganesh Monday, 20 March 2023 11:05 PM

    English is the international language of business. If we want companies to invest here we need people who can converse both orally and written. Stop living like a frog in the well.

    Ravi Monday, 20 March 2023 04:55 PM

    Before that you tell us whether you can speak English.

    Drinking Engerlish Beer Monday, 20 March 2023 05:26 PM

    You just realised the importance of spoken English? Morons like you are so retarded that it takes years to figure out simple things.

    Lion Monday, 20 March 2023 05:59 PM

    Please enroll Bandula Gunawardana too for the first batch of this English learning school

    DPerera Monday, 20 March 2023 06:10 PM

    Excellent proposal from the government. We'll see how it will be implemented.

    Nihal Monday, 20 March 2023 06:11 PM

    If we need to compete on the international stage including setting up of outsourcing hubs in Sri Lanka, we need the English language abilities amongst our younger workforce. Very sadly the past political leaders like Mr Bandaranayake who can be classed as an orator in English language introduced the Sinhala only act for his own political gain and destroyed the country to this state. What to say other than looking back and learn any new lessons for our future generations

    sunil Monday, 20 March 2023 06:17 PM

    Good decision

    maheepala Monday, 20 March 2023 06:36 PM

    Sri Lanka is good in spoiling a winning formula, and try remaking it. English language is one. Also the current electoral system is another. No vision/wisdom, and just do it for personal benefit and the generations pay for it

    Chris Monday, 20 March 2023 07:21 PM

    Who is going to teach? When we are not employable overseas or cannot proceed with further studies we realise the value of the English language.

    cineha Monday, 20 March 2023 08:15 PM

    Its a ambitious plan. But do we have English teachers who could manage this task?

    Karalasingam Sivalingam Monday, 20 March 2023 08:26 PM

    This is a good initiative, Bandaranayake's foolish policies brought divisions in , race, casts, languages , divisions culminatingin hatred in communities. Singapore has 7 official languages, made that country for every Singaporean to live unitedly.

    Zaza Monday, 20 March 2023 08:47 PM

    Dear Minister, please do not make a mockery of our Education. As a Nation, we have not had a National Educational Policy for decades. The system had been raped and ravaged, sloganized by many ministers. Education is a process, not a factory. You cannot put children at one end and collect Doctors, Lawyers, and Technocrats at the other end, politicians yes can. When I read stuff like this my adrenaline goes berserk.

    YakoYako Monday, 20 March 2023 08:51 PM

    Well done, Minister. No more Ammata , but Mother F......k.r.

    Lanka Monday, 20 March 2023 09:43 PM

    Language learning is additional skills ...for that matter any language even if you can understand the language of devils please do it ..... don't undermine any language skills ...above all ; English is international language of all .

    Dr. Thomas Monday, 20 March 2023 11:00 PM

    Good. Long overdue ..

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