Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, stated that a key objective of the current government is to ensure all teachers progressively become degree holders.
Speaking during a parliamentary debate on educational reforms yesterday , the Prime Minister emphasized the need to modernize and strengthen teacher training colleges, which have not been reformed in many years.
“Teacher training colleges have long lacked proper attention — not only in terms of resources but also in how they function. Within this year, we must design a curriculum that aligns with both current needs and proposed education reforms. Our goal is to produce the kind of teachers the nation truly requires,” she said.
Dr. Amarasuriya added that training is already underway for both existing teacher trainees and educators involved in teacher education.
“The government’s target is to gradually move toward a system where all teachers hold degrees. We also aim to upgrade teacher training colleges to degree-awarding institutions. At present, the Kuliyapitiya Teacher Training College already awards degrees, and we intend to bring the remaining 19 colleges to the same level,” the Prime Minister noted.
