COLOMBO, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Sri Lankan government plans to allocate nearly 42 billion Sri Lankan rupees (about 125.58 million U.S. dollars) between 2027 and 2031 to improve the quality of vocational education, Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Harini Amarasuriya said Tuesday.
Of the total allocation, around 4 billion rupees is expected to be directed to the Vocational Training Authority (VTA), with plans to develop the institution into a center of excellence in every province.
Speaking at the VTA's fifth Diploma Award Ceremony at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall in Colombo, Amarasuriya said the planned reforms would include introducing courses aligned with global demand, updating curricula, filling staff vacancies and improving facilities for students.
She said the government was seeking to expand educational opportunities beyond the country's traditional examination-focused system and provide students with alternative pathways to education and employment.
A total of 717 students who completed vocational studies across 15 courses received diplomas at the ceremony.
Deputy Minister of Vocational Education Nalin Hewage said human resource development remained important to Sri Lanka's national progress, adding that the government aimed to create varied educational opportunities while strengthening confidence among young people. ■