Statutes of National Planning for MDA by Ms. BP Withanage EFA National Coordinator Ministry of Education Sri Lanka

Historical Milestones Education ordinance of 1939, as amended subsequently, provides the policy and governance framework. Education Act of 1945 introduced free education an instruction in mother language from kindergarten to the university. Special provision Act no. 8 of 1960 stipulated government sole provider of education to children aged 5 to 14.

Historical Milestones... Company Act of 1982 allowed private sector to establish schools as a business enterprise. Article 27 of the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka stipulates the right to education without discrimination on any grounds. Compulsory education regulation with respect of children aged 5 to 14 was introduced in 1998.

Government Involvement Child Labour is prohibited up to the age of 14 Free text books to students from grade 1 - 11 (GCE Ordinary Level) and free school uniforms to students from grade 1 to 13 Free morning meal provided to malnourished children in grade 1 STR is 1:26 for primary and 1:22 for secondary levels Mandatory In-Service training for all teachers while Continuing Teacher Education is provided for the professional and career development of teachers

Current Policy Framework for Education Providing universal access to primary and secondary education, combined with full enrolment and completion of compulsory basic education cycle (grades 1 – 9)

Current Policy Framework for Education... Attaining high levels of education quality, measured in terms of : cognitive achievement subject content mastery other broader outcomes : good team work a disciplined work ethic a positive, solution oriented approach to problems ability to take initiative and display dynamism, able leadership effective communication and respect for diversity in context of a multi-ethnic, multi-religious society

Current Policy Framework for Education... Producing high quality human capital and human resource capable of making a powerful contribution to human development, economic growth and poverty reduction.

National Core EFA Indicators Gross enrolment in early childhood development programmes 60% Indicator 2: Percentage of new entrants to primary grade 1 who have attended some form of early childhood development programmes

related national programmes and activities Objective : to reach 80% participation in pre-school education Activities: Develop standards, guidelines, for monitoring Upgrade training for pre-school teachers

National Core EFA Indicators... Indicator 3 : Gross intake rate to primary grade 1 95% Indicator 4 : Net intake rate to primary grade 1 Indicator 5 : Gross enrolment ratio Indicator 6 : Net enrolment ratio

related national programmes and activities Objective : to increase the rates by 1% Activities: Improve infrastructure facilities Increase training and deployment of teachers Improve coverage and quality of services for children with special needs Increase quality of day care and after school centers Provide safe water supply and sanitation facilities in all schools

National Core EFA Indicators... Public current expenditure on primary education as a percentage of GNP 0.93% per pupil, as a percentage of GNP 9% Indicator 8: Public expenditure on primary education as a percentage of total expenditure on education 32%

related national programmes and activities Objectives : Increase education budget; Increase share for quality improvement Activities : Establish a medium-term budgetary framework Establish a public expenditure and quality of education tracking system

National Core EFA Indicators... Percentage of primary school teachers having required academic qualifications 60% Indicator 10: Percentage of primary school teachers certified to teach

related national programmes and activities Objectives : Increase percentage of trained teachers by 5% Activities : Streamline continuing education of teachers Retrain teachers through teacher centres

National Core EFA Indicators... Pupil-teacher ratio 21 : 1

related national programmes and activities Objectives : Achieved set national target – but student mastering basic learning competencies very low; problem with teacher quality?

National Core EFA Indicators... Indicator 12 : Repetition rate 1.6% – 5.4% Indicator 13 : Survival rate to grade 5 95% Indicator 14 : Coefficient of efficiency 94.6%

related national programmes and activities Objectives: Increase Survival rate, Coefficient of efficiency by 1% Activities : All activities to improve the quality and efficiency of education system

National Core EFA Indicators... Percentage of pupils at grade 4 who master literacy and numeracy (2003) literacy numeracy 37% 38%

related national programmes and activities Objective : Activities: Improve students learning achievement through mastery of essential learning competencies (ELC) Improve quality of teacher training programmes Strengthen student guidance and counselling

National Core EFA Indicators... Literacy rate of 15 – 24 year olds 95% Indicator 17: Adult literacy rate

related national programmes and activities Objectives : Increase literacy rate by 1% Activities : Values found here do not tally with competency mastering from previous indicator!?

National Core EFA Indicators... Literacy gender parity index 100.9%

related national programmes and activities Objective : Gender parity overachieved! Activities: Special help to the boy child

Other EFA related Issues Ensuring availability of human and physical resources to improve quality teaching/ learning Improvement of Non-formal Education Promotion of Values Reconstruction & Rehabilitation of Education in Conflict- and Disaster affected areas Improve health & nutritional status of students

Ensuring availability of human & physical resources to improve quality of teaching / learning Improve school management Teacher Deployment Incentives to difficult area schools In-service teacher training / principal training Quality inputs Student subsidies (textbooks, transport, uniforms, mid-day meal

Improvement of Non-formal Education Inadequate quality and quantity Providing opportunity for Functional literacy for all Opportunities for continuing education

Promotion of Values Values to include culture and democracy, as well as peace, multi ethnic-relationship, gender sensitivity, and drugs/AIDS awareness Integration into formal and non-formal education Create conducive environment

Reconstruction & Rehabilitation of Education in Affected Areas Maintain Proper Data Base Provide Opportunities for the affected Co-ordination with Donors / other Agencies Monitoring

Improve health & nutritional status of students Reactivate nutrition education Improve school medical inspections Provide health monitoring and intervention Practical nutrition, sanitation awareness Adolescent health; dental health Increase health awareness of students, teachers & parents

MOE UNESCO UNNICEF Donors NGOs Department of Census Province Zone Steering Committee UNESCO UNNICEF Other Ministries institutions Donors NGOs Department of Census Province Zone School Pre-school Other Institutions

Thank You Very Much!