Oct 02, Colombo: Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa today presented teaching appointments to 1,000 math and science graduates and appointments to administrators and principals at a function in the Temple Trees.

In a measure to uplift the education sector, especially, in math as science, appointments were given to 1,200 science, math and English teachers. Another 2,178 principals and 150 members for Sri Lanka Education Administrative Service were also received relevant appointment letters.

The President yesterday launched a program to set up 409 "Mahindodaya" technical laboratories throughout the country. The government says over 16 billion rupees will be spent on a programme to revolutionize the education sector by 2016.

Addressing the function, Education Minister Bandula Gunawardena said the government has focused special attention on creating equal opportunities of education for all students in the country.

Discrimination in education is the root course for many problems existing in the current education system, and there is a tough competition from the year one admission to A-Level examination in Sri Lanka at present, the Minister noted.

Gunawardena pointed out that only 22 percent of students follow science and math subjects in A-Level classes while another 25 percent follow commerce subjects. He further noted that there is a severe dearth in teachers for science and commerce streams.

Speaking to the new recruits Secretary to the President Lalith Weeratunga said teachers are a set of a people who build the nation and therefore, their responsibility is to direct the students in the correct path.

Parliamentarian Mohan Lal Grero, Chief Minister of Western Provincial Council Prasanna Ranatunga and top officials of the education ministry also participated in the event.

(Photos by Sudath Silva)