More students opt for English medium - Dr. Amunugama

by Our Correspondent

Minister of Public Administration and Home Affairs Dr. Sarath Amunugama emphasising the importance of English pointed out that today an increasing number of students have opted for education in English medium and for examinations where they could compete internationally.

Dr. Amunugama was the chief guest at the Edexcel High Achievers Award ceremony, which was sponsored by the British Council.

The event was held at the BMICH recently where the Lankan students who obtained highest marks at the 2008 G.C.E. London O/L and A/L and the IGCSE examinations were awarded certificates and plaques.

Dr. Amunugama was honoured with a special memento by Isabel Sutcliffe, Director Qualifications and Accreditation of Edexcel.

Dr. Amunugama delivering his keynote address said:

"Needless to say the British education system remains the foundation of our local education system with frequent revisions.

"Our system comprises primary, secondary and tertiary tiers. We have over 10,000 secondary schools throughout the country producing 600,000 students for G.C.E. Ordinary Level.

Of these at least 200,000 students attempt the Advanced Level examination. Unfortunately only about 5% of these students are able to enter the university system.

Even though we have 12 universities and an open university, we have only about 15,000 places annually in them.

Therefore, the Government is currently expanding opportunities in vocational and professional education systems in order to absorb the overflow from the Advanced Level.

"The declaration of the year 2009 as the `Year of English & IT' by the President Mahinda Rajapaksa confirms the level of importance we attach towards these efforts.

"Today we encourage our students the opportunity to study in any language they wish.

I am pleased to say that today an increasing number of students have opted for education in English medium and for examinations where they could compete internationally.

The advantages of the London examinations are that we send our students to compete at accepted international level of examinations. Also, these syllabi broaden the outlook of our students, if only because subject matter must be internationally and not nationally relevant.

Quite obviously these syllabi are popular with the parents and teachers because over 11,000 students do these exams in an increasing number of schools.

"Despite the challenges faced by Sri Lanka, the Government assures the people that they will in no way curtail education.

One of the key resources that our children need is the computer awareness and the ICT familiarity. No organisation today can survive without connectivity.

The Government program has been to widen the scope of technological awareness through the distribution of computers to rural schools. Our policy on this is clearly stated in "Mahinda Chinthanaya'.

"I was greatly pleased to learn that some of our students have been placed first in the world. This shows what our children can achieve provided that they have the right guidance and the right resources. Success at the examination is only the beginning. It is what you do with your success that is important."