Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the development of quality human resources is essential to ensure the country’s economic, social and cultural security, underscoring that education plays a decisive role in achieving this objective.
She emphasised that the Government is firmly committed to transforming the education sector and will continue to move forward with a clear vision and purpose, overcoming challenges encountered along the way.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing the ‘EDCS Sisu Nena Pranama’ scholarship award ceremony held today (31) at Temple Trees. The event was organised to recognise the children of members of the Education Co-operative Society (EDCS) who have been selected to state universities for the 2023/2024 academic year.
Elaborating further, Dr. Amarasuriya said the programme, organised by the Education Service Employees’ Co-operative Thrift and Credit Society Ltd, goes beyond financial assistance and serves as a platform to appreciate the dedication of students and parents who are preparing to shoulder the responsibility of shaping the country’s future.
She also noted that it is a significant achievement that the society, which began in 1930 with just 58 members and a membership fee of one rupee, has grown into the largest cooperative society in South Asia, with a current membership of around 215,000.
Highlighting the rapid changes taking place globally, the Prime Minister stressed the growing need to strengthen human resources amid economic and environmental challenges, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office. She pointed out that the education system must be transformed from the school level itself to meet the demands of the modern world, and urged students entering universities to become leaders and active contributors to this transformation.
Noting that nearly 300,000 students enter primary education each year but only about 40,000 gain admission to universities, the Prime Minister called on the beneficiaries to make the best use of this opportunity for the development of the country.
Addressing the event, Deputy Minister of Labour and General Secretary of the Ceylon Teachers Service Union, Mahinda Jayasinghe, said that due to corruption-free management, the society’s financial stability had increased from Rs. 1,200 million to Rs. 1,700 million within a short period of around nine months.
Under this year’s programme, scholarships amounting to over Rs. 13.7 million were awarded to 2,292 students selected to state universities.
The scholarship scheme, which began in 1984 with 15 students and an initial fund of Rs. 3,500, has been conducted continuously for 41 years. At present, scholarships of up to a maximum of Rs. 75,000 per student are awarded, reflecting the collective strength and solidarity of the teaching community.
