Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya says the college system in Sri Lanka plays a vital role in shaping the educators responsible for the future of the nation’s children, but the teacher training education provided through the system has remained unchanged for the past 15 years. 

The PM further said that the government has accorded high priority to the education sector, recognizing that genuine national transformation is contingent upon fundamental changes within the system of education.

“For Sri Lanka to achieve meaningful national transformation, it is essential to cultivate a cadre of educators who possess the competence, dedication, and responsibility required for such an undertaking. However, we must ask whether our teacher training colleges currently provide the necessary environment, resources, and infrastructure to facilitate such an education. I am here today to observe and assess whether these conditions are adequately met,” she said.

The PM made these remarks while addressing the “PULATHISIYA THARUNAI”, the Pulathisipura National College of Education celebration, organized by the College Alumni Association at the Teachers Training College of Education, Polonnaruwa, in commemoration of its 25th anniversary.

As part of the proceedings, Prime Minister Amarasuriya unveiled a plaque featuring the logo of the Pulathisipura Faculty of Education and ceremonially planted a Na tree within the faculty premises. In addition, the entire academic staff, including Deans who have served from 2000 to 2025, were recognized for their contributions to the institution.

Following the conclusion of the formal proceedings, attendees participated in an exhibition featuring creative works produced by trainee teachers and conducted an inspection of the college’s facilities.

The event was attended by the Chief Incumbent of Kanduruwela Jayanthi Temple and Chief Judicial Sanghanayake of the Northern Province, Venerable Kanduruwela Dhammapala Nayaka Thero; Deputy Minister of Housing Development, T.B. Sarath; Governor of the North Central Province, Wasantha Jinadasa; Member of Parliament, Padmasiri Bandara; Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, Nalaka Kaluwewa; Dean of Pulathisi Teachers Training College, M. Chandrasiri Perera, along with senior government officials, distinguished alumni, students, and other esteemed guests.

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya full address at the event; 

This marks my first official visit to a Faculty of Education in my capacity as Prime Minister. The government has accorded high priority to the education sector, recognizing that genuine national transformation is contingent upon fundamental changes within the system of education.

The education reforms that we will implement from 2026 are not mere superficial adjustments; they are designed to cultivate individuals who are both intellectually competent and morally grounded, capable of thriving in the contemporary world.

The quality of education is fundamentally dependent on teachers. While the government may introduce advanced educational technologies and world-class curricula, the ultimate outcome is determined by the strength of the teacher-student relationship.

One of the major shortcomings of previous education reforms has been the lack of a structured mechanism to ensure that teachers receive the necessary training and knowledge to meet evolving educational demands. Our foremost objective is to elevate the professional standards of teachers and to provide them with comprehensive training and development opportunities.

It is imperative to reflect on whether the current standing of teachers in society is satisfactory, and whether individuals entering the profession feel a sense of pride and fulfilment in their role.

Teaching is a noble profession that holds the power to shape or hinder the future of a child. For Sri Lanka to achieve meaningful national transformation, it is essential to cultivate a cadre of educators who possess the competence, dedication, and responsibility required for such an undertaking. However, we must ask whether our teacher training colleges currently provide the necessary environment, resources, and infrastructure to facilitate such an education. I am here today to observe and assess whether these conditions are adequately met.

There has been ongoing discourse regarding the elevation of teacher-training colleges to degree-awarding institutions. While structural modifications may be implemented, the more pertinent concern is whether the academic content and curriculum uphold the requisite standards of excellence. (Newswire)

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A teacher training program in STEM subjects (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, English and Biology) funded by the Government of India for schools in the plantation regions was formally inaugurated at the Prime Minister’s Office in Colombo on Monday.

According to the Indian High Commission in Colombo, the programme is being conducted under the multi-sectoral Indian grant assistance of INR 750 million provided to mark 200 years of the arrival of the Indian-origin Tamil community to Sri Lanka, announced during the visit of President Ranil Wickremesinghe to India in July 2023. 

The program was formally inaugurated at a ceremony held at Temple Trees, Colombo, attended by Deputy High Commissioner of India Dr. Satyanjal Pandey, senior officials from the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development, and the National Institute of Education, teacher-trainers from India and over 1000 teachers from various schools in the plantation regions of Sri Lanka.

Under the aegis of the teacher-training program, 19 Indian teachers specialized in imparting training in STEM subjects arrived in Sri Lanka on 21st July 2024. From 22nd July – 2nd August, they underwent orientation engagements anchored by the Ministry of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development and the Ministry of Education of Sri Lanka. 

This included intensive interactions with senior officials from both Ministries, field trips covering six schools in the plantation areas of Central and Western provinces, and a structured orientation programme organized by the National Institute of Education. 

The opening session of the orientation program on 29th July was addressed by the Minister of State for Education of Sri Lanka Aravindh Kumar and senior officials of MWSEID, MoE and the High Commission of India in Colombo. 

The focus of the orientation engagements was a review of the syllabi, gaining an in-depth understanding of the specific HR and infrastructure requirements and expectations of the outcomes of the program, understanding the Sri Lankan educational system and pedagogy and teaching techniques employed, identification of divergences in curriculum vis-a-vis India, and chalking-out of short-term and long-term strategies for ensuring a successful program, as well as sustained benefits from it. 

The teachers will now be deployed in schools in the plantation regions to commence the 10-week teacher-training program. A meticulous mapping exercise has been carried out for maximum utilisation of the pool of Indian trainers based on specific requirements of schools in the regions. Accordingly, the teachers will undertake training sessions in person at nearly 40 centres spread across Central, Uva and Sabaragamuwa provinces, while certain centres from Western, Southern and North Western provinces will also join in virtually. Effectively hundreds of teachers from schools in the plantation areas will have benefitted from the program by the time of its successful conclusion. 

The Indian High Commission states the training programme adds to the long list of people-centric development partnership initiatives of India in the country that are guided by the needs of the people of Sri Lanka and the priorities of the Government of Sri Lanka across sectors including education, housing, health, agriculture, livelihood sustenance, renewable energy, ports, railways, among many others. (Newswire)

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