By Darshana Sanjeewa
Education Minister Bandula Gunawardene on Wednesday assured that a degree would be awarded by the College of Education following a years training at the National Education Institute instead of the present diploma in education which the students were receiving at present.  
The College of Education at present awards the diploma in education to students who complete two years of training and one year of practical learning.
“The diploma will be converted to a degree with an additional years training at the National Education Institute starting this year,” the minister said.
He said that those who got the best results at the advanced level examination received a degree from universities without going through a practical training while students who pass out of the College of Education only receive a diploma although they needed to go through a practical training. “This is highly unfair.
 That is why we came to this decision,” he added.
The minister expressed these views at the diploma awarding ceremony for students of the College of Education held at the BMICH.
In total 6,043 students from both the 2010-2012 and 2011-2013 batches were awarded their diplomas during the ceremony.