Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said that developing quality human resources is essential to safeguard the country’s economic, social, and cultural security, stressing that education plays a central role in achieving this objective.
She emphasised that the government is firmly committed to transforming the education sector and will continue to move forward with a clear vision, overcoming challenges encountered along the way.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing the EDCS Sisu Nena Pranama scholarship award ceremony held today (31) at Temple Trees. The event was organised to honour the children of members of the Education Co-operative Society (EDCS) who have been selected to state universities for the 2023/2024 academic year.
She noted that the programme, organised by the Education Service Employees’ Co-operative Thrift and Credit Society Ltd, goes beyond financial assistance and serves as a recognition of the dedication of students and parents who are preparing to take responsibility for the country’s future.
Highlighting the growth of the society, the Prime Minister said it was remarkable that an organisation founded in 1930 with just 58 members and a one-rupee membership fee has grown into South Asia’s largest cooperative society, with around 215,000 members today.
She also drew attention to the rapid pace of global change and the growing need to strengthen human resources amid economic and environmental crises, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.
Dr. Amarasuriya stressed that the education system must be transformed from the school level itself to meet the demands of the modern world, adding that university students should become leaders and active participants in driving this change.
Pointing out that nearly 300,000 students enter primary education each year while only about 40,000 gain admission to universities, she urged students to make full use of this rare opportunity for the country’s development.
Addressing the event, Deputy Minister of Labour and General Secretary of the Ceylon Teachers Service Union, Mahinda Jayasinghe, said corruption-free management had enabled the society to increase its financial stability from Rs. 1,200 million to Rs. 1,700 million within about nine months.
Under this year’s programme, scholarships amounting to over Rs. 13.7 million were awarded to 2,292 students selected to state universities. Initiated in 1984 with just 15 students and an initial fund of Rs. 3,500, the scholarship scheme has now continued for 41 years, with awards of up to Rs. 75,000 per student, reflecting the collective strength and unity of the teaching community.
