1. EFA Achievements in Sri Lanka
M.Sabranjan
Director of Education
Ministry of Education
Sri Lanka

2. Overview Initiatives Government Policy Achievements Strategies
Challenges
Way Forward

3. Initiatives for Education for All
The enactment of a comprehensive law on education(1939) Education Ordinance No. 31
Free Education Act 1945 helped the children from poor families to gain free access to education
Provision of free English medium education in government schools and establishment of Central Schools
This ordinance still provide the principal legal basis for the education. it advocates the compulsory school attendance.This Act paved the way for children from poor families to gain free access to education. the free English medium education and secondary (central) schools were established to implement this proposal

4. Initiatives for Education for All
Grant/financial assistance to denominational schools which entered the free education scheme
The promotion of mother tongue as the medium of instruction in primary grades
Curriculum changes aimed at concentrating on academic knowledge, aesthetic sensibilities and practical skills
widespread scheme of student welfare measures (free health services, mid-day meal and scholarships)
Curriculum changes were made aimed at “head, heart and hands” concentrating on academic knowledge, aesthetic sensibilities and practical skills A widespread scheme of student welfare measures such as free health services, mid-day meal and scholarships for deserving, promising students

5. Policy, legislation and strategies
“...the complete eradication of illiteracy and the assurance to all persons of the right to universal and equal access to education at all levels” (Constitution of Sri Lanka, Article 27)
Compulsory education regulations  (5-16 year old children (2013)
Reforms to protect the rights of children in detention
Framework of Action for Inclusive Education(2012)
Pre school education policy (2014)

6. Education Strategic plan
Education sector development plan
Education sector development plan
Theme 1 : Increase equitable access to primary and secondary education;
Theme 2 : Improve the quality of primary and secondary education;
Theme 3 : Strengthen governance and service delivery of education;
Crosscutting activity : results-based monitoring and evaluation.

7. Achievement of EFAs ECCE
Measles immunisation coverage 97 %
Maternal mortality rate 39 per 100,000 live births in 2006
Remains a low-prevalence but high-risk country for HIV/AIDS
Slow decline in child malnutrition (underweight children under 5 yrs 27%)

8. Under 5 Mortality rates 2000- 2011
Source : Demographic & Health Survey, RGD

9. Inequity in distribution of Malnutrition
Source: Annual Health Bulletin 2011

10. Grade 1 enrolment with ECCE Experience 2000-2012
Source: MOE

11. Grade 1 enrolment with ECCE Experience 2012
Source: School Census (MoE, 2012)

12. Net Enrolment Rates in Primary Education
Achievements in UBE
Net Enrolment Rates in Primary Education
Year
Male
Female
Total
GPI
2001 91 93 92
1.03
2004 90
0.99
2008 94 95
1.01
2010
2012 97 98
Source: Moe

13. NER in Secondary Education
Achievements in UBE
Net Enrolment Rates in Secondary Education Progress  (National Level)
Year
NER in Secondary Education
Male
Female
Total
GPI
2001 88 91 89
1.03
2004 87 90
1.04
2008
2010 92 95 93
1.01
2012
1.05
Source: MOE

14. Primary Completion Rates 2000-2012 2001-2012
Year
Primary Completion Rate
GPI
Male
Female
Total
2001 88 91 89
1.03
2005 90
104
2008 97 98
1.01
2012 99
1.02
Source: MOE

15. Achievements on Life Skills

16. Gender Parity index in Education
Net Enrolment Rates in Primary Education GPI-1.01
Net Enrolment Rates in Secondary Education GPI-1.03
Transition Rates from Primary Cycle to Lower Secondary Cycle GPI -1.01

17. Adult literacy Adult literacy rates (10 years and over) Year Male
Female
Total
2001
92.6
89.7 91
2010
96.8
94.6
95.5
Source: DCS,2001,2010(5% sample)

18. Literacy rate of 15-24 year olds,2006-2011
Source:DCS2006/7,2011

19. Literacy rates by Districts-2010

20. Strategies to support the right to education for all
Widespread coverage of provision of schooling
- primary school within two km of every child (5 –9 yrs)
- secondary school within four km of every child of the 10 to 16 year age range
Student Welfare
Each year the MoE allocates 10% of its budget for
-subsidies
- provide free textbooks,
- uniforms,
- nutrition programmes,
- bursaries and scholarships

21. Strategies to support the right to education for all
Child Friendly Schools
CFS contribute to the improvement of the Quality
Students, teachers and principals to evaluate the status of a school against CFS criteria (under 6 dimensions )
Schools develop the SDP for the year
Disaster Risk Reduction (DRM) and School Safety Education
Teaching disaster preparedness in schools

22. Education for specific vulnerable groups
Children from the Plantation Community
Integrated into the national system
Children with Disabilities and Special Education Needs
Special schools
Special Education Units in schools
Inclusion of disabled children’s into regular schools
Street children
Community Learning Centre program
Basic literacy classes
Mainstreaming to schools

23. Former conflict area development
Construction and rehabilitation of schools
Emergency Preparedness Response Plans
Capacity development of teachers in psychosocial response
Home Learning Modules
Catch-up Education
Accelerated Learning Program (ALP)
Mine Risk Education

24. Challenges to Achieving Education for all
ECCE:
Governance
- Lack of power & responsibilities of each level of government
- Lack of Authorization of ECCE programmes
Quality
- Lack of Activities (care, education, nutrition and health?)
- lack of monitoring and supervision n
Financing
- Lack financing from the government

25. Challenges to Achieving Education for all
Polarisation of schools
Increasing number of small schools in disadvantaged locations receiving little attention
Social stigma towards children with disabilities and lack of quality programs addressing their needs
Poor parental awareness about education
Weak service delivery systems in rural and isolated communities

26. Recommendations
Actions needed to remove demand and supply side barriers faced by marginalised groups
Long term plan for teacher development
Improve quality of early childhood care and education and
Implementation of preschool education policy
Child –friendly schools and inclusive practices institutionalised

27. Recommendations Equal distribution of human and physical resources
Improve quality of non-formal Education
Mainstream the Inclusive Education approach
Development of Comprehensive plan for quality improvement
Promote convergence to meet all needs in schools