• Preparing guidelines on quality of edu. and student safety  

The Government is concerned with preparing appropriate guidelines and recommendations to regularise the quality of the private tuition education and the safety of students attending these classes, said the State Minister of Education, A. Aravindh Kumar.

While speaking to The Daily Morning, he said: "The Government is in the process of introducing reforms to the education sector. We are very seriously working on it and there will be new systems wherever changes are required. These reforms will be based on the science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) concept which is currently in operation in many parts of the world. These subjects will be taught from Grade One, so that every child, irrespective of what subjects they would follow for the General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level and Advanced Level Examinations, will know what STEAM subjects are."

When queried by The Daily Morning as to whether reforms would be introduced to the private tuition sector too, he said that it would be impossible to make significant reforms with regard to it as the Government can not have full control over the sector. He pointed out: "There will be guidelines and recommendations. It is impossible to have full control over all private tuition classes and tuition teachers as they are not public servants. We can only lay down conditions." Speaking further, Aravindh Kumar said that although there are not many legal provisions, tuition teachers and related institutions have a great responsibility regarding the quality of education delivered, the fees charged, and the safety of the students. "Teachers and private tuition institution owners should keep in mind that education is not just an income generator. Therefore, the quality of the delivered education should be established. Fair fees should be charged. Necessary steps should be taken in order to ensure the safety of students attending the classes," he said.  He added that President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the Government have extended support to enhance the quality of education, irrespective of it being either public or private.

Various incidents related to the field of the private tuition sector are regularly reported. In particular, there are complaints that the quality of certain tutors' teaching is not up to the relevant standards, and that the fees charged are unaffordable. A more serious matter is that there have been significant reports of cases of private class teachers sexually abusing students attending their classes. A teacher in Kalutara who is alleged to have molested 16 female students was recently arrested by the Police.