– Prime Minister and the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya

The Prime Minister and the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, stated that the Digital Task Force was appointed for the purpose of implementing educational reforms, and that a remarkable transformation in education can be achieved through digitalization.

Participating in the quarterly progress review discussion of the Parliamentary Digital Task Force on Education, held in Parliament for the awareness of Members of Parliament, the Minister made these remarks.

Further expressing her views, the Prime Minister stated as follows:

“Digital education is a process that moves forward together with educational reforms. For the sake of these digital educational reforms, we appointed a Digital Task Force for a period of three years, to prepare policies, guide, and take the necessary next steps.

When we establish the foundation for digital education and provide it to the children, the children will advance along that path. Therefore, it is mandatory for us to establish the foundation, structure, and policies for digital education and prepare the necessary steps accordingly. For that purpose, we value the contribution received from you.”

Following the Minister’s statement, the Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister, Mr. A. B. M. Asraff, also expressed his views at the occasion:

“Currently, there is a shortage of about 42,000 teachers. This shortage is spread across all subjects and all regions. Here, we are attempting to provide some relief through digitalization. In the future, we will also work towards preparing information technology facilities for education and providing the necessary equipment for it.

If a disaster occurs, how do we face it? What kind of digital technology should a school have? We are looking into such matters. Likewise, we are also prepared to take the necessary measures to protect children from becoming addicted to the internet and electronic devices.”

Further expressing his views, Mr. A. B. M. Asraff stated that children should not be made prisoners of education, but instead digitalization should be used to give children a new life, reduce existing inequalities, and improve the education of children in schools located in difficult areas.

Media Unit