Teacher salaries will be gradually increased as the government moves to raise education standards and recruit over 1,000 new teachers.
Teacher salaries will be gradually increased with the aim of placing the teaching profession among the 10 highest-paid professions in Sri Lanka, Minister Professor Chandana Abayaratna said.
The Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government said provisions have already been allocated under the government’s policy statement to resolve issues in the teaching service.
He made these remarks while attending the ceremony to hand over a new classroom building to students at Wanathawilluwa Nagamadhuwa Maha Vidyalaya, addressing a long-standing shortage at the school.
The Minister said teacher recruitment, which had been delayed since 2021, has been expedited this year to address the national teacher shortage.
Accordingly, provisions have been allocated to recruit more than 1,000 teachers.
He emphasised that the recruitment examinations will be held in the coming days and that the process will be conducted transparently through examinations and interviews, without political interference.
Referring to the exam-centered education system, the Minister said children are losing opportunities to engage in extracurricular activities.
He said the recent drowning deaths during the New Year season showed the importance of teaching children life-saving skills such as swimming.
Speaking further, the Minister said a new change has been initiated in the education system through curriculum reform.
“We have initiated a new change in the education system by revising the curriculum. Under this, steps will be taken to hold a national level examination in Grade 9 in the future.
“Through that examination, children will have the opportunity to pursue either academic education or vocational education according to their interests. For that purpose, we are taking steps to develop around 50 vocational training institutes.
“Previously, those who failed school education turned to vocational training, but under the new system, both academic and vocational education will receive equal and balanced respect.”
Commenting on the drug menace targeting school children, the Minister said drugs have now reached villages and are targeting children between the ages of 12 and 16.
He said the Maha Sangha, teachers, parents, and officials must work together to suppress this threat.
He also urged students never to turn to drugs, even as an experiment.
The Minister further recalled that the government provided Rs. 25,000 for school supplies to children affected by recent disasters.
He added that other student assistance, including Mahapola scholarships for university students, has also been increased.
Professor Abayaratna requested students to protect the new classroom building, which was constructed using public tax money, and to make maximum use of it.
He also said the government remains continuously committed to the education of children in the Wanathawilluwa area.
The Minister noted that Wanathawilluwa, located between Kala Wewa and Mi Oya, has a historical background dating back to the prehistoric era, where Naga and Yaksha tribes lived.
