The training of teachers for the new education reforms will commence next month and the contracts given to political cronies in local government institutions will be brought to an end following the upcoming Local Government elections, said Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.
The Prime Minister was speaking at public gatherings in Mirigama, Minuwangoda and Katana in the Gampaha district.
The Prime Minister said, “From birth to death, all the aspects of the life of a person are handled by local government institutions. However, at present these institutions lack proper systems to provide the people even basic facilities.
“We are committed to working with a proper system, free of fraud and corruption, and managing every rupee carefully and attentively. We are identifying the needs of people and implementing projects under a systematic plan to develop rural sectors,” she said.
The Premier said, “You elected people who stand firmly against fraud and corruption through two decisive elections. First, you elected Anura Kumara Dissanayake as President, a leader committed to fighting corruption. Then, at the parliamentary election, you choose a group of qualified individuals who are equally dedicated to this cause to represent you in Parliament.”
She said Local Government institutions closest to the villages should be clean and transparent to ensure that the funds allocated for rural development reach the people. “That is why this election is so important to us.” “The people and the villages come to experience our corruption-free political culture through Local Government institutions. These institutions must properly implement, monitor and evaluate the development projects allocated to the rural sector. The era of awarding contracts for such projects to political cronies must end,” the Prime Minister said.
“Although early childhood development is a crucial part of education, there has never been a proper system for it. We are now setting up such a system and teacher training for modern education will begin next month. We have a comprehensive plan to develop all sectors,” she said.
The Premier said the Ministry of Education has received projects worth billions of rupees, but there is no proper implementation process. For example, 1,500 smart boards were bought for smart classrooms, but the Secretary to the Ministry has not implemented a system to distribute them to schools. Teachers have not been trained to use them. Teacher training institutes still follow outdated curriculums. This will be corrected through the new education reforms.
“It is essential to elect the right people for the right purpose to deliver all these benefits to the rural areas efficiently. Therefore, the Prime Minister called on the public to vote for candidates, free from fraud and corruption, presented by the National People’s Power (NPP) at the upcoming Local Government elections, she added.
