Colombo (LNW): Education Minister Susil Premajayantha emphasised the importance of fostering a well-rounded educational experience that includes co-curricular and extra-curricular activities to develop versatile human resources.
He made these remarks during the opening ceremony of the inaugural session of the student parliament programme at Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya, Colombo.
Minister Premajayantha highlighted the active implementation of the Student Parliament Programme in major schools across the island.
This program plays a vital role in enhancing students’ personality development by instilling leadership skills, team spirit, respect for ideas, listening abilities, patience, and fostering a broader vision and understanding.
Moreover, the programme aims to raise awareness among students about universal suffrage, the democratic role of parliament, fiscal responsibility, the powers and responsibilities of the legislative, executive, and judiciary branches, as well as providing insights into local and foreign governance systems, parliamentary functioning, election procedures, and the role of people’s representatives.
Implemented collaboratively by the Election Commission and the Ministry of Education, the Student Parliament Programme focuses on engaging school children directly in nation-building efforts, achieving common national education goals, and developing essential skills through citizenship education.
The event was attended by Dr. J Sumedha Jayaweera, the Principal of Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya, Colombo, Chairman of the Election Commission RMAL Ratnayake, Election Commissioner General Saman Sri Ratnayake, and other distinguished guests.
