July 04, Colombo: Sri Lanka cabinet has approved a proposal submitted by the Minister of Higher Education, Susil Premajayanth to recruit only first degree holders as teachers for the country's education system.

The goal of the new policy to be implemented from 2009 is to provide quality education from qualified teachers to the students regardless of the geographical location of their schools and to improve educational learning outcomes.

According to the plan the qualified teachers will be required to follow a one and a half year full-time professional training course conducted in two stages at the National Centers of Education.

Until a sufficient number of qualified graduates are produced in special disciplines, the Centers will continue with the existing procedures for producing diploma holders in these disciplines, the government said.

Despite being celebrated as the best in the South Asian region Sri Lanka’s education system is plagued with administrative problems resulting in frequent teacher strikes.