Apr 26, Colombo: Sri Lanka Treasury has allocated Rs. 8.6 billion to develop 1,000 primary and secondary schools of the country to improve the education as a whole and promote science and math education.

Under the "Thousand Secondary Schools Development Programme" launched by President Mahinda Rajapaksa earlier this year, 300 secondary schools and 700 primary schools will be developed in 2012.

The 1000 secondary schools development programme that will be implemented from 2012 to 2016, will introduce new reforms with new knowledge suitable for contemporary world, Sri Lanka's Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena said.

The government has already selected 836 schools giving consideration to secondary schools representing each and every Divisional Secretary's division.

Although the programme mainly focuses on secondary schools, a number of primary schools will also be developed so as to link 3-5 primary schools which are affiliated to every secondary school.

According to the Finance Ministry, priority will be given for development of school buildings, improvement of quality of school text books and school equipment and upgrading sanitary facilities of students.

The project plans to establish a technical laboratory consisting of an Information Technology Laboratory with 50 computers, a Mathematics Laboratory, a Language Laboratory and Nanasa Distance Education Unit for each secondary school.

The project aims to reduce the percentage of students who are following the GCE Advanced Level in Arts stream and to promote participation of students in Science and Commerce streams instead.

The authorities expect the project to create an environment which enables students to get technical and professional skills to face the realities of labor market.

It is further expected to fulfill equal opportunities of education under the fields of Science and Mathematics, Information Technology, English and Foreign Language Studies, Aesthetic Studies and Sports.

ColomboPage - Recent 10 Stories

Sri Lanka receives Rs, 28.4 million UN grant to formulate Chemical Accident Prevention program -- [5 minutes ago] Buddha's teachings enriched national unity and religious coexistence in Sri Lanka - President -- [44 minutes ago] Australia returns 16 more Sri Lankans asylum seekers to Colombo -- [1 hour and 15 minutes ago] Fire breaks out in cargo warehouse of Sri Lanka's Colombo Port -- [1 hour and 46 minutes ago] Sri Lanka Defence Secretary opposes vesting police powers with the provincial councils -- [2 hours ago] President opens first session of second Sri Lanka Youth Parliament Sri Lanka police probe German NGO Friedrich Naumann Foundation General amnesty considered for overstaying Sri Lankan migrant workers in Kuwait Sri Lankan Minister again under suspicion for attack on local council chairman Sri Lanka identifies project proposals for Commonwealth Business Forum