New proposals for school admissions

Applications for 2008 to be called soon:

Rohan Mathes

COLOMBO: The new recommendations of the National Education Commission (NEC) on admissions to Year One, following the recent Supreme Court decision, was handed over to President Mahinda Rajapaksa at Temple Trees yesterday.

Thereafter, a lengthy round of preliminary discussions took place between President Rajapaksa and the representatives of the NEC including NEC Chairman Dr. A.V. Suraweera, Vice Chairman Lal Perera and the Secretary C.W. Ranjith Premasiri, Acting Education Minister Nirmala Kothalawela, President's Secretary Lalith Weeratunga, Education Ministry Secretary Ariyarathna Hewage, Presidential Advisor Dr. T.W. Epasinghe and other officials to explore the possibilities on the proper implementation of the recommendations, in compliance with the Court decisions as well.

In compliance with the 'Schools Takeover' circular of 1961 and to date, many irregularities had been predominant in the entire school mechanism system, including the admission of children to schools.

The NEC was of the view that the country's education system was extremely important to all the citizens and therefore a wider consultation with the public was necessary prior to making any amendments.

A reasonable time frame was also required for amendments if any.

The NEC has further pointed out the necessity of expediting the process of calling for applications for admission to Year One in 2008 and creating an environment for same.