PM urges parents to keep children in school

Prime Minister and Education Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has urged parents to ensure that students preparing for the GCE Ordinary Level (O/L) and Advanced Level (A/L) examinations continue to attend school, stressing that school attendance is compulsory.

Addressing the 80th anniversary celebrations of Akkaraipattu Muslim National School pm Sunday (15), the Prime Minister said every child should receive 13 years of education.

She expressed concern that some students tend to stop attending school regularly after reaching the O/L and A/L classes.

“Every child must attend school. Every child should receive 13 years of education. I particularly urge parents to ensure that their children attend school,” she said.

Amarasuriya also said the Government was committed to improving the quality of education, noting that Rs. 749 billion had been allocated for education under the 2027 Budget, including Rs. 562.4 billion for school education.

She described the allocation as the highest ever made for education in Sri Lanka.

Referring to ongoing education reforms, the Prime Minister said the new curriculum introduced for Grade One this year would be extended to Grades Two and Six in 2027.

She said the reforms were aimed at giving students greater access to technology, vocational education and practical life skills within the school system.

Education should not be limited to passing examinations, Amarasuriya said, stressing the need to help students develop leadership skills, teamwork, positive attitudes and other competencies needed to succeed in a rapidly changing world.

She also stressed that every child in Sri Lanka had the right to a quality education regardless of their background, and that ensuring equal educational opportunities remained a responsibility of the Government.