By: Isuru Parakrama
September 29, Colombo (LNW): Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya has affirmed that the newly formed government will place education at the forefront of its agenda, with an emphasis on restoring public confidence in the system.
Speaking at a workshop for school principals held at Ananda College, Colombo, she addressed the critical challenges plaguing the current education system, highlighting a pervasive lack of trust as one of the most pressing issues.
“The trust in our education system has eroded, much like in many other sectors of our society,” Amarasuriya stated, reflecting on the growing disconnect between students and their education.
She emphasised that the younger generation no longer holds the same belief in the value of education, a stark contrast to previous generations. This growing scepticism, she added, requires urgent attention.
Amarasuriya, who also serves as Minister of Education, stressed the need to rekindle enthusiasm for learning among students while reassuring parents that the system can once again deliver meaningful results.
“We need to ensure that children are excited about their education, and parents should be able to trust that their children are in good hands.”
Amarasuriya also drew attention to the stark disparities within Sri Lanka’s education landscape.
Speaking directly to the school principals, many of whom represented prestigious institutions, she criticised the existence of a divided system where elite schools provide superior education while others are relegated to a status of ‘unpopular schools’.
She stated firmly, “This is not an acceptable situation. Our goal is to ensure that every school, regardless of its standing, delivers the best education for all children.”
Reflecting on Sri Lanka’s historic reputation for excellence in education, Amarasuriya lamented that the country has failed to maintain this standard in recent decades.
“Our education system was once a model for the world, but in recent years, we have fallen short of its promise. We must not only recover what was lost but also build upon it for the future.”
In her concluding remarks, the Prime Minister underscored that the failures of the education system were not the result of actions by teachers or principals but rather the responsibility of successive political leaderships.
She expressed optimism for the future, inviting the education community to collaborate with the government in implementing policy reforms aimed at restoring Sri Lanka’s education system to its former glory.
