August 11, Colombo (LNW): The Government is preparing measures to address persistent teacher shortages and strengthen the professional standards of the teaching service, with particular attention being given to schools facing staffing difficulties.
The issues were discussed by the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education during a meeting held in Parliament under the chairmanship of Prime Minister and Education Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya.
The committee examined a range of challenges affecting the school education system, including the quality of teaching, unfilled vacancies, the transfer system for teachers and the provision of essential facilities at schools in more difficult-to-reach areas.
Officials and committee members stressed the need to accelerate the recruitment of new teachers in order to reduce existing vacancies. Particular concern was raised over shortages in key subjects such as science and mathematics, where inadequate staffing can have a direct impact on students’ access to specialist instruction.
The meeting also considered the need to identify areas where teacher requirements are most urgent and ensure that recruitment and deployment decisions are aligned with those needs.
Schools in the Northern and Eastern Provinces were highlighted for special attention, with members noting that staffing shortages in these areas require targeted measures rather than a uniform approach across the country.
The committee also discussed improving facilities and other support services for schools in less-developed and challenging locations, alongside efforts to make the teacher transfer process more efficient.
The discussions form part of the Government’s broader efforts to address structural weaknesses in the education sector and ensure that schools, particularly those serving communities with fewer resources, have adequate teaching staff and facilities.