Craft policies and decisions informed by data that prioritize the well-being of school children – PM
Officials should interact with the public in a humane manner while providing public services
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized the need for policies and decisions to be data-driven for the benefit of school children, with officials treating the public humanely as they provide public services.
The Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya made these remarks at a workshop at the Colombo Foundation Institute on “Preparing relevant strategies to transform the existing education system” held today (11).
The workshop discussed various important issues related to transforming the education system from early childhood development to higher education and vocational education in line with the new government’s policy statement.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya further stated:
Education is a transformative process. It is not just about acquiring knowledge, but also about individual and collective social transformation. We need an education system that can facilitate this transformation, providing children with opportunities to engage with the world and fostering a sense of social responsibility.
Education should not be treated as a commodity or transaction. We must move away from that mindset and focus on the long-term investment in education that the government is making. Data-driven policies and decisions should be the foundation of education governance, not personal opinions or emotions.
Empathy is crucial for officers dealing with the public. The Prime Minister highlighted instances where people seeking services are left in tears due to officers’ lack of communication or empathy. Steps need to be taken to address these issues and improve the service delivery system.
Deputy Minister of Education Dr. Madura Seneviratne, Secretary to the Ministry of Education Nalaka Kaluwewa, and a group of education professionals also attended the event.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized the importance of formulating policies and making decisions based on data for the benefit of school children. In a workshop on transforming the education system, she highlighted the need for a system that focuses on individual and social transformation, rather than treating education as a commodity. She stressed the importance of investing in education as a long-term commitment and called for empathy from officials providing public services. Deputy Minister of Education Dr. Madura Seneviratne and other education professionals also participated in the event, discussing the necessary changes to improve the education system.
