Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya announced that in the next Parliament, ministries would be allocated scientifically, based on relevant fields, instead of the previous practice of awarding them as political favours. She stated that the new system would establish 25 ministries focused on interconnected sectors.
Speaking further at a meeting with pre-school teachers held at the main post office auditorium in Kandy on November 6, the Prime Minister said, “Under past administrations, ministries were distributed not scientifically, but as incentives for MPs. Ministries were handed out like bribes, offering certain departments if individuals would switch allegiances. We even saw instances where higher education and highways were grouped together, with the justification that many university students spend time on the streets protesting. This was the type of governance we inherited, but we are committed to organising ministries with a scientific foundation.”
Prime Minister Amarasuriya emphasised the need to bring all educational activities, including preschool, school, higher, and vocational education, under the Education Ministry. Noting that preschool education currently falls outside the Education Ministry, she said that policy and legal changes would be necessary to bring it under a unified structure, including the establishment of an Early Childhood Authority. This will be discussed thoroughly when the new Parliament convenes.
The Prime Minister further outlined a vision to create an education system that produces socially responsible citizens, not merely exam-focused individuals. “If we talk of an era of renaissance, we need an education system that creates citizens suited to that age. This system should prioritise knowledge, skills, examination success, and most importantly, social integration,” she stated, stressing the crucial role of early childhood as a primary stage of socialization.
Premier Amarasuriya also revealed plans for a national curriculum for early childhood education, aiming to eliminate competitive exams up to Grade 8 in schools and gradually shift to a less exam-focused approach over the coming years.
She highlighted the need to address inequalities between schools, pointing out that the current system, where 29 schools are labelled as ‘popular’, creates high competition for admissions due to significant disparities between them and other schools. The Government intends to eliminate these inequalities to provide equal educational opportunities for all students.
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