Quality Education Shapes Good Citizens
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that good citizens are essential to building a developed nation and that quality education plays a vital role in shaping responsible citizens.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while participating in the ceremony to hand over the newly constructed building at Ihala Puliyankulama Vidya Chakrawarthi Maha Vidyalaya in Puttalam to the students on 29 October, under the Primary School Modernisation Project.
The Prime Minister stated that one of the Government’s key objectives is to eliminate disparities in physical resources among schools, whether they are rural or urban, popular or less popular, and to ensure equal opportunities and quality education for all children.
She further stated that development activities at this school had been successfully completed under the first phase of the Primary School Development Project, implemented in accordance with the present Government’s policy statement. The overall development of the building had been planned based on the Primary School Development Criteria formulated in line with the new education reforms.
The Prime Minister noted that the building is equipped with facilities to provide students with activity-based learning experiences. These include Smart Boards, Activity Rooms, Reading Rooms and sanitation facilities. She also highlighted that the building has accessible facilities to ensure that students with disabilities can use it conveniently.
The Prime Minister further stated that Rs. 50 million had been allocated for the construction of the new building and the development of facilities at Ihala Puliyankulama Vidya Chakrawarthi Maha Vidyalaya in Puttalam, with further financial allocations expected in the future.
Emphasising the significant role of teachers in shaping children’s futures, the Prime Minister observed that a single word spoken by a teacher could have a profound impact on a child’s future. Regardless of the physical resources provided, she stressed that the relationship between teachers and students in the classroom, together with the teacher’s contribution, remains crucial in shaping a child’s future.
Following the official handover of the new building to the students, the Prime Minister visited the classrooms and planted a Na tree in front of the newly constructed building.
The Prime Minister also presented certificates to students who had demonstrated outstanding talents.
Addressing the gathering, Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Nalaka Kaluwewa, stated that schools had been selected for the national programme to modernise and develop primary schools based on several criteria, including their potential for development, the services they could provide to children in surrounding areas and the availability of other facilities.
He further explained that the programme would help standardise primary education by ensuring that all children, regardless of the school or location they attend, have access to similar facilities, classrooms, buildings, equipment and learning environments.
He also noted that, upon completion of the programme, approximately 309 primary schools equipped with similar facilities would be established across all divisions of the country.
The event was attended by the Chief Sanghanayake of the North Western Province, Venerable Thammennaweṭiya Rathanajothi Thero, Minister of Public Administration Chandana Abeyratne, Deputy Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr. Madhura Seneviratne; Members of Parliament Gayan Janaka Herath, Hiruni Wijesinghe and Mohamed Faizal, Chairman of the Karuwalagaswewa Pradeshiya Sabha, Neil Navaratne, other local councillors, government officials and a large gathering of residents from the area.
Prime Minister’s Media Division