Sri Lanka's Ministerial Advisory Committee on Education has outlined plans to address persistent teacher shortages and structural deficiencies in the education system, with particular focus on science and mathematics subjects.
The Ministerial Advisory Committee on Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education convened in Parliament to address critical challenges facing the country's education sector. Chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who also holds the education portfolio, the meeting centered on strengthening the teaching profession and resolving workforce gaps that have affected schools nationwide.
The committee identified teacher shortages as a primary concern, particularly in science and mathematics disciplines. Officials emphasized the need to expedite new recruitment processes to fill vacancies more quickly and reduce instructional gaps in classrooms. The discussions also addressed the streamlining of teacher transfer procedures and improving educational infrastructure in underserved regions.
Special attention was directed toward schools in difficult-to-reach areas, including institutions in the Northern and Eastern provinces, which face acute staffing challenges. Committee members noted that identifying specific geographic areas with the highest teacher requirements would enable targeted interventions and resource allocation. Beyond recruitment, the committee emphasized enhancing overall school education quality and ensuring that students in remote and disadvantaged areas receive adequate educational support and facilities.
The meeting reflects ongoing efforts within the education ministry to tackle systemic issues that have constrained the sector's effectiveness, with recruitment acceleration representing a key strategy to improve service delivery across schools.
