• Project on hold due to ongoing education reforms programme: Ranasinghe

The ‘1,000 National Schools’ project, launched by the Education Ministry, has come to a standstill despite the expenditure of a colossal sum of money amounting to around Rs. 2.2 billion since 2021, The Sunday Morning learns.

The initiative to establish 1,000 national schools, conceived by former Education Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris, was designed to address the surging demand for admissions to national schools, often perceived by parents as being better equipped to deliver quality education to students.

However, as confirmed by Education Ministry Secretary Nihal Ranasinghe, the project is currently on hold due to ongoing educational reforms. 

“The administrative reforms of the education sector are currently being discussed and until the reform process is completed, the project will be temporarily suspended,” the Secretary said.

As highlighted in the audit report for 2022 on the Education Ministry issued by the National Audit Office (NAO), since 2021, only 22 schools have been converted into national schools, despite the initial plan to increase the number of schools from 353 to 1,000.

“The State Ministry of Education, Open Universities, and Distance Education has spent a sum of Rs. 576 million for the development of internet facilities in 622 schools in 2021. The State Ministry for Women and Child Development, Preschools and Primary Education, School Infrastructure, and Education Services has spent a total sum of Rs. 2,285.2 million, with Rs. 44.7 million allocated for the development of physical infrastructure for 831 schools,” the NAO revealed.

Additionally, a sum of Rs. 20.5 million had been spent for the purchase of equipment under the programme, aimed at increasing the number of national schools from 353 to 1,000, but only 22 schools had been converted into national schools, the report stated.

Implemented under the ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour’ agenda of the former Government, the programme was earmarked for an allocation of Rs. 12.3 billion spread over a three-year period. 

Having received Cabinet approval, the project unfolded in three distinctive stages.

The first phase saw certain schools receiving Rs. 1 million each to construct name boards with gates, along with an additional Rs. 1 million for around 300 schools to acquire computers, photocopiers, and other necessary equipment.

The second stage targeted the elevation of 673 selected schools to national school status based on predefined criteria.

In the third and final stage, the 373 existing national schools were slated for development, aiming to enhance facilities and infrastructure. 

The overarching goal was to adhere to internationally-accepted standards, fostering the production of technologically-advanced youth geared for the workforce.

As part of the third phase, specialised training programmes for selected school principals were planned on a provincial basis.

However, in its response to the NAO findings, the ministry has stated that only 125 schools will be developed in the regional divisions where there is no national school and further action will be taken based on the decision of the Minister of Education in this regard.

The NAO has recommended that projects should be implemented as planned and Government funds should be spent effectively.