Leadership training under way for second batch

by Uditha KUMARASINGHE

With the significant progress achieved by the first leadership training and positive thinking development training course, the Higher Education Ministry has commenced its second program at 30 training centres of Army, Navy, Air Force and Cadet Corps countrywide on June 16.

Under the second phase, the Ministry started training and lectures to university entrants from June 17 which will be continued for three weeks.

The Ministry has allocated Rs.100 million to provide food, transport and T-shirts to the university entrants who take part in this training program, Higher Education Ministry Secretary Dr.Sunil Jayantha Nawaratne told the Sunday Observer yesterday. He said the three Armed Forces and Cadet Corps provide free training, lectures and accommodation to the students at their centres.

Nearly 9,000 university entrants are included in the second batch of this leadership training program.

A three -week training program of this nature would cost a student around Rs. 50,000. Dr.Nawaratne said the program provides systematic training to youth in psychological, physical, health, sports and fitness training exercises. It would educate youth on solving problems in a scientific manner and improving their mental and physical condition.There was a very positive response from the students who attended the first batch of this leadership training program; they also requested the extension of the time frame of this program. After completion of training, there is a significant improvement on the part of the students. The Ministry formulated this program to provide systematic training to help make a mentally and physically-fit university student, he said.

The first leadership training program was ceremonially launched at the Temple Trees on May 23 under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.