Training of 13,800 teachers for this program has been finished.
– The Minister of Education Susil Premajayantha
The Minister of Education Dr. Susil Premajayantha says that from today starting the use of English language for all the students in grade one is commenced which is essential as the link language to fulfill the present role of the teacher for creating the future student generation who are ready to accept the challenges.
The minister further stated that his expectation is to give a practical speech training to use the English language without any fear or stage fright in the classroom right from the first school day. English is important as a link language in the process of providing an education suitable for future vocational field of this country. Any professional cannot survive continuously only on the past knowledge and they have to know what is going to happen in the future through the contemporary updated knowledge, the minister said at this occasion.
After the year 1962 the English medium education did not exist in this country except in a few schools. In the year 2000 it was started to teach some advanced level subject streams in English medium and at present in more than 550 schools students learn Science, Commerce and Arts subjects in English medium from grade 6, the minister said.
Furthermore, the local and foreign students learn in English medium right from the beginning in International schools in this country and in the future local and foreign employment opportunities will be open mainly for them, the minister said. In order to finish that gap, the English medium education in government schools will be expanded practically and accordingly next year in grade two and after that this program will be connected with the subject of English taught in grade three, he said.
The minister expressed this information when he participated in the starting program of using English for grade one students at Samudradevi Balika Primary school, Gangodawila today.
Expressing further views at this occasion the minister said that there is no intention of neglecting the Sinhala language and breaking the provision in the constitution which says that the basic education from 1 – 5 must be given in mother tongue. It is hoped to give the opportunities for the children to open up for the advancing world while fulfilling the expectations of their parents. Through this, a pleasant environment will be created in the classroom for teachers and students to engage in teaching and learning together while doing practical activities, he said. Through the STEAM education process (STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) which will be introduced to the field of education of this country shortly, the educationists must try to find the smart and pleasant teaching methodologies to teach the subjects like Mathematics and Environment through this process, the minister said. He also said that the inaugural program of STEAM education will be held tomorrow at the Royal College, Colombo connecting the provinces with zoom technology.
