Medium level technicians in short supply: Ed. Minister
STEAM learning to be introduced in rural schools
One of the major issues in the country is the shortage of medium level technicians, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said recently. He also pointed out that 75% of students enter the state universities through the Arts and Commerce stream whereas only 25% of students enter the universities through the Science and Technology streams. “It is a crucial problem for the future development of Sri Lanka.
Therefore, a young innovative and empowered generation who are capable of thinking out-of-the-box must be created,” the Minister said. He was speaking as the chief guest at a function held to distribute certificates to trained technicians who completed the new technology course designed for creating a labour force for solar technology. The event was held at the “Kenimadala” auditorium of the National Apprentice and Technical Training Authority. The minister said the STEAM educational concept started in Western countries, giving priority to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and it has now been developed into the STEAM concept by including Arts subjects.
He said this concept would be used in Sri Lanka over the next ten years and teachers for those subjects and the necessary facilities would be provided to rural schools. “Through this measure it will be possible to end graduate unemployment in future,” he said. “To solve the shortage of medium level technicians, institutions such as the National Apprentice and Technical Training Authority will contribute,” he added. The minister said the Education Ministry has integrated Technology Education, General Education and Higher Education into the common subject Human Resource Development.
The Minister expressed his gratitude for the contribution provided for the development of this subject by the Peradeniya, Ruhuna, Kelaniya and Jaffna universities collectively. He added that starting future projects through proper research and surveys without any political involvement, will ensure sustainability in the long run. The knowledge of entrepreneurship obtained from those projects would also increase employment opportunities of those who complete the courses. “It is also a good knowledge for engaging in self-employment. For the private sector this is an ideal investment opportunity. The country can move forward by taking policy decisions considering these things going
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