Nano science, focus of Education Ministry

by Ananda KANNANGARA

Education Minister Bandula Gunawardane has focused attention on expanding children's knowledge on nano science since educationists are of the view that nano technology-based industries will be set up in the country within the next 15 years.

According to the Education Ministry, nano science was to be introduced as a subject at the GCE Ordinary Level and Advanced Level examinations several years ago, but due to lack of trained teachers the proposal was put off.

A senior Science and Technology Ministry official said, nano technology is taught to children from their younger days in many developed and developing countries, as this technology will be increasingly used in science, medicine, motor mechanism and associated fields during the next few decades.

Minister Gunawardane told the Sunday Observer that it would take a few years to introduce the subject of nano technology to the school curriculum due to the non-availability of trained instructors.

Meanwhile, Dr. Prabath Hewageegana of the Department of Physics, University of Kelaniya has proposed that nano science be taught in schools so that students acquire a basic knowledge of the subject as they have acquired sound knowledge in the field of Information Technology.

He said strengthening nano science education in schools from now on is crucial for sustainable development in the field and Sri Lanka could easily develop a pool of professionals and a workforce to meet future needs.

He said State intervention is important in this regard and more research funds should also be made available to research institutions such as universities.