“13 Years of Education” receives Budget boost
View(s):The Govt has put forward a string of proposals in its Budget proposals to keep with the scheme of “13 Years of Education”, with the focus on improving the ratio of Science, Technology, Engineering and Medicine (STEM) as against other sectors including Arts subjects. The National Institute of Education (NIE) will be restructured to partner the demand for serious reforms in Primary and Secondary Education, while the Govt has proposed a change in the methodology of teaching STEM subjects.
Changes in the A/L Subject combinations ensuing Degree programmes as well, in line with the STEM+A (Arts) concept, will allow students to offer combinations such as Maths with Music, Science with Drama etc. at A/Ls, which will produce students with attributes essential to modern-day demands. The examination and assessment methodology will also be reformed to suit “13 Years of Education”. Providing the students with Maths kits and upgrading of Maths laboratories are among other proposals.
The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) will be introduced to facilitate testing of the education system in comparison to global standards, by testing the Skills and Knowledge of students. In order to prepare students for tomorrow’s jobs, Genomics, Coding, Robotics and Nano-Science will be included in the school curricula.
Continuous Professional Development (CPD) for Teachers will be continued. The “Smart Classroom” concept will be strengthened as part of the digitalisation drive, together with the development of e-textbooks. A center dedicated to training Teachers in the English Language will be established at the National College of Education (NCE) at Maharagama. Resources will be shared between the NIE and the proposed Center for English education, creating synergies.
Training teachers for ‘Special Needs’ students will be strengthened, while the ‘Special Needs” training facilities at Hapitigama and Adalachchenai NCEs will be upgraded. The allowance paid to NCE students will be increased to a maximum of Rs 5,000 per month from an average of Rs 3,500 per student.