The Education Ministry has issued a circular on the organisation and management of co-curricular activities in schools which notes that it is essential for every principal to maintain an organised co-curricular activity scheme within their school. It is up to each school to organise co-curricular activities that are aligned with the culture of that particular school, while taking into consideration the school’s human and physical resources. The circular says school administration must become actively involved in coming up with appropriate methodologies for co-curricular activities.
The ministry has set out a list of objectives behind the organising of co-curricular activities at school. They include developing students with a balanced personality, developing students’ soft skills, ensuring the future generation is healthy, creating a group of citizens who are equipped with skills needed for the job market, and building an environment to create global citizens with a Lankan identity. The circular sets out a list of instructions on organising and implementing co-curricular activities.
As per the circular, the principal must maintain a positive attitude regarding the co-curricular activities conducted within their school and must also be fully aware of the importance of motivating participants, organisers and teachers involved in such activities. Schools have also been instructed to include details of co-curricular activities of all students in their student record books. It is the responsibility of the principal to decide on the number of co-curricular activities conducted within their school and provide the necessary facilities to carry them out. Principals must also ensure that co-curricular activities are carried out in a manner that does not disrupt the teaching or learning process of the students. They must also appoint a deputy or assistant principal to be in charge of co-curricular activities. Taking their ability and enthusiasm into consideration, principals have further been instructed to appoint a teacher to be in charge of each co-curricular activity and give them such appointment in writing. - DWI