• Without developing science and technology in the country, we cannot develop as a country

By Chathuranga Samarawickrama   

Education Minister Susil Premajayantha yesterday warned the officials to leave their posts within the next two months and hand them over to the young generation, who can help with the system change to develop science and technology in the country.   

“Science, technology, and innovation should all take the same path. Without developing science and technology in the country, we cannot develop as a country. Developing the science and technology will help create scientists around the world,” he said.   

“74 percent of the university admissions are for arts and commerce subjects. Only 24 percent of students register for science and technology subjects. The cause of that is the shortage of science and technology teachers. Only 800 graduates from universities qualified for science courses. Mathematics subjects have fewer lectures. “It is a big challenge in universities,” the minister said.   

“Our country should go for an education reform. As a result, the ministry decided to establish the National Institute of Education in schools over the next five years, with the participation of graduates trained in any subject.   

I will start new universities with nine faculties. To assign a quality teacher to schools, the academic course will last three years plus one year of teaching practice. Without changing the system, we can never assign a quality teacher to a school.   

The genuine youth activists who requested a system change wanted a complete structural change in the existing system, even among the politicians. Therefore, this real transformative change should take place in every field, including the school system, universities, and innovations.   

Even I cannot make any changes in the education field alone,” the minister added, adding that “it should be successful with everyone’s participation.”