Presidential Push for Education Reform: “English for All” by 2030
President Ranil Wickremesinghe made a resounding declaration at the R.I.T. Alles commemoration, advocating for a significant overhaul in Sri Lanka’s education system. Highlighting the launch of the “English for All” program aimed at schools and universities by 2030, the President underscored the need to diversify language education beyond Sinhala and Tamil.
Emphasizing the late R.I.T. Alles’s vision of “Education for all,” President Wickremesinghe outlined a multifaceted strategy to realize this ambition. This included plans to establish new universities in both public and private sectors to ensure equitable access to higher education for all Sri Lankan students.
President Wickremesinghe also urged the Sinhala and Tamil Diasporas to return and contribute to the establishment of new universities, underscoring a shared responsibility for the nation’s educational progress.
In addition to the “English for All” initiative, the President highlighted the necessity to adopt successful education systems worldwide, emphasizing the importance of quality higher education without compromising on accessibility. Plans to increase the number of universities within five years, including the establishment of three technology universities akin to General Sir John Kotelawala University, were also revealed.
The President expressed the government’s commitment to alleviating financial burdens on students by providing concessional loans, aiming to curb the trend of selling property or sending students abroad for higher education. He invited private sector participation, echoing R.I.T. Alles’s example in establishing new educational institutions.
In tandem with the President’s vision, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and Education Minister Dr. Susil Premajayantha lauded R.I.T. Alles’s legacy and outlined initiatives to modernize education. Dr. Premajayantha detailed advancements in D.S.Senanayake Vidyalaya and efforts to ensure technological integration, pandemic resilience, and educational material accessibility for students.
The event, attended by prominent figures and stakeholders in education, signified a unified effort toward revolutionizing Sri Lanka’s educational landscape. The collective commitment to advancing education showcased a shared determination to propel the nation toward a brighter educational future.
