The Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education of Sri Lanka has published its Annual Performance Report for 2024, detailing key achievements, challenges, and strategic plans for the education sector. The report underscores the Ministry’s commitment to equitable access, quality education, and modernization in line with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Key Achievements in 2024
- Equitable Access Initiatives
- Over 4.5 million students received free school uniforms, with partial funding from the Chinese government.
- 1.5 million students benefited from the School Meals Programme, supported by the World Food Programme and Save the Children.
- The Suraksha Student Insurance Scheme covered 4.1 million students, with claims paid for 2,838 beneficiaries.
- Sanitary napkin vouchers worth Rs. 680 million were distributed to 609,292 female students.
- Scholarships and Financial Aid
- 125,000 Grade 5 students from low-income families received scholarships totaling Rs. 937.5 million.
- Special scholarships were awarded to 700 technology stream students and 250 female students in advanced-level technical education.
- Infrastructure and Digital Transformation
- 96% progress was achieved in the KOICA-funded National Institute of Education and Teacher Training System project.
- 1,000 schools received smart classroom solutions, and 920 provincial schools were equipped with 15,000 refurbished computers.
- Fiber internet was provided to 500 schools, with plans to expand to 2,000 schools.
- Curriculum and Teacher Development
- 2,624 teachers were recruited to address shortages, with a focus on science, technology, and language subjects.
- Over 50 teacher training programs were conducted, including mindfulness and blended learning workshops.
- Student Performance
- 77.96% of Grade 5 students scored above 70 marks in the Scholarship Examination.
- 75.72% of G.C.E. O/L students qualified for advanced-level studies, with improvements in science and commerce streams.
Challenges and Future Goals
The report identifies several challenges, including:
- High dropout rates post-Grade 11 due to economic pressures.
- Unequal resource distribution across schools, affecting parental confidence.
- Delays in infrastructure projects, with 41 national school constructions remaining incomplete.
2025 Priorities Include:
- Expanding vocational education to align with labor market demands.
- Implementing the “Clean Sri Lanka” program to promote environmental sustainability in schools.
- Launching the first phase of education reforms, with a new curriculum rollout planned for 2026.
- Enhancing primary education through digital tools and remedial programs for literacy and numeracy.
Financial Overview
The Ministry utilized 84.5% of its recurrent budget (Rs. 102.4 billion) and 67.7% of capital allocations (Rs. 34.4 billion). Auditor General findings highlighted discrepancies in asset accounting, urging better financial controls.
